What will the new school look like? Renderings are released
BAR HARBOR—Space heaters. Layers. Closing the doors and keeping them closed. These are all the ways that the Conners school students and staff dealt with yet another break in its heating system for the past two weeks.
The problem occurred approximately two weeks ago and the boiler for the Conners building had to be shut down and we had no heat, Principal Dr. Heather Weir Webster explained to the school board Monday afternoon.
“We made it through. We closed all the doors. It was kind of crazy,” she said.
According to Dr. Webster’s report, “The steam pipe that runs between the two buildings sprung a substantial leak. Last Wednesday, CCB came and dug up one of the junctions and fortunately it was close to a manhole cover. It was repaired and we are sincerely hoping that was the only pipe issue.”
Workers from CCB had to dig about 12 feet down and solder pieces on site to deal with the problem.
The constantly breaking boiler was one of the many issues at the two school buildings. Voters approved an up to $58 million bond to rebuild on the same site. Construction is expected to begin this summer. Bids for that work are due at the superintendent’s office and will be opened on June 13 at 2 p.m. The board hopes to find grants and donors to help support the students and alleviate some of the burden on property owners.
At the Bar Harbor Town Council meeting, May 7, Dr. Webster gave an update.
“We’re thrilled to announce, it’s advancing at in impressive pace,” Webster said.
The pre-qualification process for general contractors has been completed. It ensures those contractors have resources, ability, and bonding capacity before bidding.
“Together we’re building not just a school but a vibrant hub of community engagement,” Webster told the councilors. She’s had a lot of sleepless nights thinking about every inch and the transition of next year where the students are being on campus while the new building is being constructed.
The current school population is 351, an increase of six from the beginning of the year. There has not been a COVID case in a long time, Dr. Webster said.
Dr. Webster also said that they are interviewing for a new school counselor and have hired Jen Dougherty for kindergarten next year. Dougherty has taught in the past and currently is the president of the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA), which is having staff appreciation week this week.
“I must say, I think we have the best PTSA here,” Dr. Webster said.
The board unanimously voted to continue the following for employment for next year: Sonia Berghoff, Gloria Culthbertson, Melanie Fessler, Schuyler Mann, and Dana Noble. It approved the following employees who are in their second year at the school for continuing contracts: Kelly Beaulieau, Michelle Dupries, Kristin Murphy, Michael Newman, Renee Quebbeman, Jaylene Roth, Meryl Sweeney, and Rachel Umphrey.
LINKS TO LEARN MORE
https://sites.google.com/mdirss.org/conners-emerson-school/tiger-talk-23-24
https://www.connersemersonbuildingforourfuture.com/
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