Background

On May 11, 2006 the Tri-County Regional School Board’s Superintendent of Schools and Director of Operations met with the Department of Education regarding scheduled upcoming renovations to the Yarmouth High facility.  At that meeting the Superintendent of Schools and the Director of Operations requested a change in the scope of the previously approved renovations.  The requested change was the replacement of all of the windows at Yarmouth High – all existing windows were installed in 1988 and in 1999/2000. 

The previously approved renovations included:

Renovations to the office administration areas, replacement of the gymnasium floor, renovations to the locker rooms and washrooms, a new assistive care washroom, and new corridor flooring. 

To accommodate the request, both parties agreed to the following:

Renovations to the office administration areas, a portion of the locker room and washroom renovations, and new corridor flooring would be taken out of the scheduled renovations in order for the replacement of all of the windows to proceed.

On July 12, 2006 the Tri-County Regional School Board’s Director of Operations met with the Department of Education to discuss the Yarmouth High renovations.  At that meeting the Director of Operations was informed that the Department of Education had concerns regarding the renovations.  In particular the Department of Education was concerned about the replacement of windows that were installed in 1999/2000.  The Director of Operations was then informed that the Department of Education wanted the consulting firm that is currently involved with the scheduled renovations to complete a report outlining options, cost estimates, and recommendations with regard to the windows that were installed in 1999/2000.

In addition the Department of Education had a concern with finishing the replacement of the gymnasium floor when classes commence in September of 2006.  In particular they were concerned, and the Tri-County Regional School Board agrees, that the dust, noise, and odors generated by such a replacement would be disruptive to the learning environment.  In the spring of 2007, the Tri-County Regional School Board will call for a new tender for the replacement of the gymnasium floor with construction to commence at the closure of the 2006/2007 school year.

Current

The scheduled renovations as they now stand include:

Replacement of the windows that were installed in 1988 – this tender was called during the week of July 23^rd to the 29^th, 2006; completion of the assistive care washroom – this renovation is already in progress; and pending the conclusion of the consultant’s report, the 1999/2000 windows will be repaired or replaced depending on the Department of Education’s final design and approval.

If the Tri-County Regional School Board experiences any issues that prevent it from meeting these timelines, the Department of Education has agreed to cover the cost to have two certified trades’ people on site at Yarmouth High when classes commence in September 2006 to handle the use of the windows.  Yarmouth High students and staff will not be permitted to open, close or handle the windows in any way.