By Ben
Rayner, Sound
Senior Staff Writer:
NORTH
BRANFORD:
You might
not think it to drive by it, but the renovations to the North Branford
Intermediate School (NBIS) are on track and even ahead of schedule. Officials
are pleased with the progress, including the placement of the portable
classroom units, installation of the 50-station computer lab, and the expected
completion of the cafeteria in early 2009.
NBIS
Principal Alan Davis not only grew up in North Branford he attended the
intermediate school during his elementary years and said he, the staff, and
faculty are feeling the anticipation as the first day of classes draws near.
According
to Davis and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Wolfe, the project is two to
three weeks ahead of schedule and despite the construction debris and workmen
who surround the site, the school and staff will be ready for opening day.
Davis and
Wolfe acknowledge there will be an impact to the students, but hope it will be
a positive one. Davis
said the renovation was so badly needed that the interruption to the school and
students is actually welcome.
“We are in
great shape as we move along. There has been a lot of activity. In terms of the
demolition it has been quite a mess, but that was expected. The site looks more
and more ready every day,” said Davis.
“It certainly affects the students, but students are very resilient. Any change
to the normal routine the students find exciting and challenging. This is the
type of situation that is new for everybody. The end result will be so terrific
that the process is worth it.”
Davis said the school has also hired a
greeter to make sure that students, faculty, and visitors will be able to find
their way around the detours.
The new
portable classrooms are more conducive to learning, according to Davis, because they are
climate controlled and foster an enhanced learning atmosphere.
“The
portables are really great. They are actually better than some of the original
classrooms,” Davis
said. “They are very nice units.”
Weekly
meetings with the contractor have also helped make for a smooth transition,
according to Davis.
“Turner
Construction has been very pro-active and has met weekly with us,” said Davis. “At these weekly
debriefings we have been able to look at long-term issues and short term issues
and they have been keeping us fully informed. And that has allowed us to be
able to solve a host of logistical issues with impact on the academic programs
at all. Safety and security are in every sense always our number one priority.
We are pro-active to that end.”
Wolfe said
the renovation is on track and all the schools will be ready for opening day.
“Work has
absolutely picked up this summer, so we are all very excited,” said Wolfe. “We
are gaining on it and that is a good thing.”