School district office moves to new location on Aug. 20
Date: 8/8/2013
By Chris Maza
chrism@thereminder.comLONGMEADOW – In one of the important final steps in the completion of the new Longmeadow High School, the Longmeadow Public School district office is preparing for its move into the building later this month.
The district office, which has been located inside Wolf Swamp Road School, will open at its new location on Aug. 20.
“We’re very excited,” Superintendent Marie Doyle said. “We’ve been waiting with anticipation for the ability to move into our new offices and are very happy that it’s finally happening.”
In order to facilitate the move, the district offices will be closed from Aug. 15 to 19.
The district office will be located on the Bliss Street side of the school in the portion of the old building that is being renovated as part of the new building construction. In addition to the offices, that portion of the school will continue to be the home to the gym, pool and Longmeadow Cable Access Television.
Students began attending classes in the new building for the first time on Feb. 26 as the main learning areas of the school were completed.
Doyle said that the renovations on the portion of the old building, dubbed the “1971 Wing,” should be completed soon.
“The general contractor told me that they would be out of there completely by November,” she said. “Work still needs to be done on the parking lots and a few other things, but in terms of the building, it will be completed by this fall.”
Total cost of the construction of the 185,000 square foot school, complete with an auditorium, media center, cafeteria, gymnasium, and 62 multipurpose classrooms is estimated to be approximately $78.4 million.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) was expected to reimburse the town approximately $33 million, or 52 percent of eligible project costs.
Approximately $13 million spent will not be eligible for reimbursement, including the renovation of the 1971 Wing.
An official ribbon cutting will take place in September when all of the work is completed, at which time dignitaries from the state, including MSBA officials will be on hand.
