MEXICO – Residents will know by late August or early September whether the current Region 9 vocational school can stay where it is or a new site must be found.
At Tuesday’s board meeting, members reviewed an agreement with Smith Reuter Lull Architects of Bethel that calls for the firm to conduct a study of the condition of the River Road school and its ability to meet the needs of the current vocational programs.
The architects began the so-called predesign services earlier this month by interviewing the staff about the current programs and those that may be offered in the future, said David Driscoll, director.
Previous plans to add six classrooms and make several major repairs or improvements have been put on hold until it is known whether the school will stay put. If the study shows that the building would require a high number of structural, code and other repairs, then the estimated five-year process for finding a new site and building a new school would begin.
The matter arose in early spring when a completed, state-mandated periodic review of school facilities showed the need for nearly $1 million in improvements. Driscoll has also been concerned with the possible effect leaking has had on the concrete walls.
The cost for the review, at about $15,000, comes from Region 9’s renovation account.
If the building is proven to be worthy of repair, then another $30,000 or so will be spent for architectural designs for an addition, elevator, walls between two of the programs, a new roof, and other repairs or modifications.
Driscoll said the state has already approved funding of up to $1 million if needed for the school to stay at the present building permanently, or to make the building safe while waiting for construction of a new facility.
In a related matter, the board entered into a lease-purchase agreement for a 28-by-40-foot modular classroom for $43,500. It will be used by students in the diversified occupations program. All but $5,500 will be reimbursed by the state, Driscoll said.
Students in that program had been moved out of the basement of the building several months ago because of the need for improved exits and other code issues. The 30 or so students used whatever space was available in the building.
The modular unit arrived at the school on Tuesday and will be used by next year’s students.
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