Middle School Renovations Necessary, Report Says

Having just voted to approve a $14 million bonding package to renovate four firehouses, repave roadways, and build a new sanitation garage, town residents may balk at the thought of signing off on another major municipal construction project.

But according to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), the North Haven Middle School is in dire need of repairs and upgrades to, in the words of a report filed by the accreditation agency late last year, "meet the needs of a 21st century middle school."

While commending NHMS in numerous areas, the NEASC identified a series of serious flaws in the building's physical plant.

From the "Community Resources for Student Learning" component of the study:

"The structure itself, beginning with the roof which requires trash buckets strategically placed throughout the building to catch the leaking water to the poorly maintained toilet facilities to the need to bring the wiring infrastructure up to code to accommodate technology, is in poor shape."

Elsewhere, the visiting committee saw instances of poor maintenance, writing:

"The building itself had visible signs of age and water damage. Faculty lavatory facilities were few, and student lavatories lacked adequate space and show clear signs of lacking long-term maintenance. Lockers were broken and falling off the wall and present a potential hazard."

None of these issues conflict with state regulations concerning the health and safety of students, the report contends, but rather create significant obstacles in updating the middle school to meet future needs for technology and instruction. 

The facilities, as they stand, "are out of date and minimally adequate for a 21st century middle school."

At the root of this problem, the visiting committee noted, was a shortfall in funding for capital improvements at the school.

According to the NEASC, per pupil spending in town is about $2,000 less than comparable communities. Where nearby towns spend roughly 60% of their annual budgets on education, North Haven spends 52%. 

In light of uncertain finances, North Haven has been forced to postpone several major renovations, such as fixing the roof of the Middle School. Originally slated for repair in 2011 as a part of the 2006-2011 capital improvement plan, that work—expected to cost $2,000,000—has now been pushed to 2013-2014.

The NEASC has proposed three specific recommendations for addressing the worsening state of the building in the near future.

1. develop and implement a plan to address a health and safety review of all areas of the building

2. develop and implement a plan to review how best to use or upgrade the current building to accommodate the needs of a 21st century middle school

3. develop and implement a plan for scheduled maintenance of new and old equipment throughout the building

And the Board of Education and the Selectman's Office appear to be taking notice.

Mike Freda, speaking at last month's Selectmen's meeting, said that he was aware of the condition of the Middle School, and that serious work on the site could be expected in the near future. He has also mentioned that renovations have been discussed in his meetings with Superintendent Cronin about the district's five-year capital improvements plan. 

Parents and students, what's your take on the state of the Middle School? What should the town be doing to update the facilities? And what can residents do to help?