Worcester will never have another school year like this one.
At least Superintendent Gary Kuch, teachers and probably students hope so.
It’s not that the year’s been bad; it’s just been a challenge to endure a major construction project while school’s in session.
Contractors are in the second and third phases of the $32.6 million project, completing the new addition and renovating the old school building on Main Street.
The first phase, a new bus garage, was finished in November. That’s history, however, as contractors and all involved aim for the completion of the two other phases in September.
“It’s been hard, but people have been good about it,” Mr. Kuch said. “They know it’s not forever, and they can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
The tunnel may seem long, however. When school started in September, students were in the old building as contractors raised the addition.
Over Christmas break, many classes moved to the addition so that renovations could begin on the old building.
Now, classes are just about wherever they can be.
The new cafeteria is temporarily divided into four elementary classrooms.
The soon-to-be cafeteria serving room is now for remedial reading.
The nurse’s office is temporarily in the new kitchen.
In fact, the only classes that are in the rooms they’ll be in when the project is finished are art and band.
“Some teachers are ‘Where am I moving to now?’ and I don’t blame them,” Mr. Kuch said. “But people have been very flexible and understanding. They recognize the end is in sight.”
Most of the construction occurs away from students or on nights, weekends and vacations. Not that there haven’t been issues, Mr. Kuch said.
“At first, there was a concern about dirt. . .not bad, but a lot of dust,” he said. “For the contractors, their clean and our clean aren’t the same.”
But that was ironed out, as have problems with noise.
“A jackhammer was going off, and I made a call to the construction manager: ‘No noise,’ ” Mr. Kuch said. “Then it stopped.”
He praised contractors for not only working together but also for recognizing that school is indeed going on while they’re working.
Mr. Kuch also lauded the construction manager and school business staff for bringing the project in well under budget.
“And people want the work, so the bids came in low,” he added.
Calling the project too lavish, critics blasted school officials last year. Mr. Kuch is hearing less criticism now because he believes many realize the project was necessary.
Work hadn’t been done on the old building in years, and much of it was far outdated.
“We have three outlets in this room,” Mr. Kuch said, sitting in the art room. “We only had one in rooms in the old building. If a teacher wanted to run an overhead and a computer at the same time, she’d be afraid of blowing a circuit.
“We maintained temperature in the winter by opening and closing windows. It was crazy.”
A greener building with thermal windows throughout will be more efficient, besides being more comfortable.
“It looks fancy but it’s basic,” Mr. Kuch said. “This will be a wonderful facility for the students and for the community.”