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Date: 8/23/2018
EAST LONGMEADOW – The East Longmeadow School Committee met on August 20, where Superintendent Gordon Smith shared an update with the School Committee on where Meadow Brook Elementary School’s construction stands as they race the clock to the Aug. 28 school start date.
While he didn’t bring visuals to the event, Smith explained that those who take a trip to the school will be starting to see a different exterior look to Meadow Brook. The elementary school was originally construction in 1969 and had all original windows and doors. With this new construction, the structure will have new sets and a new look.
He explained that currently the contractor is running against time due to challenges with incorrect product shipping in. He said this was not the fault of the contractor and was a mistake of the shipper.
The glass company, Smith noted, worked on Saturday the 18th to try to get back on schedule and would be working long days and the upcoming weekend. The expectation, Smith said, was that the second grade wing would be complete, “We may get there with the start of school,” he said.
Smith continued, stating that the contractor has moved into working on the first grade wing and are doing removal and abatement to get ahead of that. All of the work, he assured, is on the exterior.
For parents and students pulling up to the school on the first day, they’ll notice a brand–new walkway. Eventually, there will be a new front door. There will also be framing for a new front vestibule.
“Eventually, you’ll have intercom and cameras on the exterior door and on the interior vestibule,” Smith said.
Additionally, Smith explained the cafeteria has a new look with the windows and panels in. Formerly, the cafeteria had sliding glass doors.
“Those are gone,” Smith said of the sliding doors. “It’s a much more modern and energy efficient wall there that’s a combination of opaque panel and windows where eventually we will have sliders, right now we have plywood. It’s a transformation,” he said.
“Every week you’re gong to see a transformation, probably now until the first week of October,” Smith continued.
The target for finishing the gymnasium is the middle of October, which Smith stated had always been the schedule for completion.
To watch the August 20 meeting, go to ELCAT’s recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg-oamr77AA&t=485s.