Barrington school offices undergo makeover

Construction crews build better, safer offices at local schools

BY Josh Bickford
Posted 7/29/16

Students should expect to see some new features at local elementary schools when they return to class in late August.

Construction crews have been busy at Hampden Meadows, Nayatt and Primrose …

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Barrington school offices undergo makeover

Construction crews build better, safer offices at local schools

Posted

Students should expect to see some new features at local elementary schools when they return to class in late August.

Construction crews have been busy at Hampden Meadows, Nayatt and Primrose Hill schools this summer, completing a series of improvements to office spaces that will resolve some compliance issues. 

Last week during a visit to Hampden Meadows School, Superintendent Michael Messore and Director of Finance and Administration Ron Tarro showed off some of the work that has been taking place. 

The renovated secretary's space, principal's office, vice principal's office and nurse's station were framed in with steel studs. Principal Tracey McGee will have the same amount of space while vice principal Gino Sanguiliano will have a little more room to work within. The nurse's space was increased, which will allow for better privacy and easier access and egress. 

Mr. Messore said students and teachers used to have to enter the nurse's office by going through other peoples' offices. That won't be the case anymore. Mr. Messore added that the additional square footage inside the nurse's space will also be appreciated.

"They used to be on top of each other in here," he said. The nurse's office will also have direct access to a restroom once the construction is completed.

At Primrose Hill School and Nayatt, the renovated office spaces will also have more windows looking into the buildings' foyers. 

"You had to buzz someone (into the building) and you had one little window in the door to look through," Mr. Tarro said. "You wouldn't be able to see them. Now we will have better response and better monitoring of visitors."

Mr. Tarro said the office construction will allow for improved security at the buildings. (The office at Sowams School already has a wall of windows that look out to the foyer.)

Construction crews have also been able to remove asbestos from the buildings during the summer construction project, install new LED lights in the buildings' foyers and replace old and outdate PA systems. 

The office improvements cost approximately $350,000 and are being funded through the district's prior budget surpluses. Urbane Construction is conducting the work.  

While the construction has been taking place, Nayatt Principal Tracy Whitehead and Primrose Hill Principal Pat Tolenta have relocated to Sowams School, where they are sharing office space with Sowams Principal Jim Callahan. Hampden Meadows School Principal Tracey McGee is working in her school's library. 

Officials expect the work to be completed in the next three weeks.

Tank removed

In addition to improving office spaces, school officials also approved the removal of an underground fuel tank at Hampden Meadows School. A second underground fuel tank at Nayatt was filled. (The district switched to natural gas as a fuel source a few years back, eliminating the need for oil tanks.)

Mr. Tarro said the tank work cost approximately $33,000 and was funded with budget surplus money.

The district also hired a company to install a new water main at Primrose Hill School. That work cost $20,200, and was completed earlier this summer.

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