Schools draft bond projects for 2 years

By ETHAN HARTLEY
Posted 11/20/18

By ETHAN HARTLEY The Warwick School Department is poised to request over $6 million from the City Council this January in the first batch of bond funding following the approval of the $40 million bond by voters earlier this month, as the school building

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Schools draft bond projects for 2 years

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The Warwick School Department is poised to request over $6 million from the City Council this January in the first batch of bond funding following the approval of the $40 million bond by voters earlier this month, as the school building committee on Nov. 15 voted unanimously in support of a schedule of capital projects to be completed in 2019 and 2020.

Over the next two years, the school department has outlined a detailed list of improvements to be made utilizing bond moneys that would amount to over $15 million of the $40 million approved.

The project list for work to be conducted in 2019 outlines major renovations necessary to improve top priority needs at schools across the city, including six fire alarm systems, two asbestos abatement projects within elementary schools, three roofing projects and ADA compliance work, in addition to interior work at all schools.

If the school committee approves the schedule at tonight’s meeting, it will set the stage for widespread bond-funded capital improvements to city schools – the first since a $25 million bond was approved by voters in 2006. The final work conducted with funds from that bond just went to finishing work on Vets Middle School this summer.

The focus would then shift to the Warwick City Council, who has the authority in Warwick to release bond funding at their discretion and with the consideration of the fiscal impact it would have on city expenditures. The total ask for the first batch of funding amounts to $6,180,902.

This request includes $4.2 million total projected cost of the projects mentioned above, as well as about $1.9 million in “soft costs,” which includes 8 percent architectural and engineering fees for both summer of 2019 and summer of 2020 projects, and other expected contingencies and fees from contractors once work is put out to bid and when it begins.

In total, between 2019 and 2020, the school building committee approved a list that includes 35 projects, all of which would be considered high priority, as they pertain to safety or accessibility of students. The ask from the city in January of 2020, at this time, is projected to be $9.1 million, which includes architectural and engineering fees for projects to be undertaken in 2021, which were not fully outlined in the report.

Schools scheduled to receive fire alarm system replacements or repairs in 2019 include: Oakland Beach Elementary, Robertson Elementary, Scott Elementary, Warwick Neck Elementary, Winman Middle School and Toll Gate High School. In 2020, Drum Rock Early Learning Center, John Brown Francis, Greenwood Elementary, Hoxsie Elementary, Lippitt Elementary, Park Elementary and Sherman Elementary are also set to receive fire alarm system improvements.

Asbestos abatement will take place at Scott Elementary and Oakland Beach Elementary in 2019, while Holliman Elementary is scheduled to have abatement done in 2020.

Toll Gate High School, Sherman Elementary and Wyman Elementary are scheduled for re-roofing projects in 2019, while Hoxsie Elementary, Lippitt Elementary, Norwood Elementary and Robertson Elementary are scheduled for roofing projects in 2020.

Improvements to ADA access, which includes alterations to doors, bathrooms and accessible ramps, are scheduled at Cedar Hill Elementary in 2019, and at Holliman Elementary, Wyman Elementary, Warwick Vets Middle School and Pilgrim High School in 2020. ADA-accessible playgrounds, which are planned to be installed at all schools eventually, are planned at Warwick Neck and Lippitt in 2019 and at Cedar Hill, Holliman and Wyman in 2020.

Various interior work, which includes everything from converting bathrooms at John Brown Francis to accommodate preschool-aged children, to replacing locks and doors within other schools, is scheduled to be conducted at every school to the projected cost of $918,400.

There is no HVAC work scheduled in the first two years of bond-funded capital improvements, however there are over $10 million worth of such work scheduled in the overview of the total $40 million of projects included in the report, which will be read in further detail at tonight’s meeting.

Comments

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  • CrickeeRaven

    Anyone who still claims that the new $40 million bonds are a "credit card" or that they will not be managed properly is clearly ignoring the information provided by this article.

    City council oversight and legal requirements for ADA compliance will ensure that the money is spent correctly.

    Tuesday, November 20, 2018 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    Asbestos abatement in 2020? This issue raised its head back in the 1980's and the schools are getting around to more than a generation later? No wonder the kids don't do well in Warwick schools, they are drinking lead and breathing asbestos.

    Tuesday, November 20, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear CrickeeRaven and readers,

    In 2006, the $25 million dollar bond became Scott Avedisians credit card. He held it ransom over the heads of the School Committee while the School Committee paid all the interest. His ego controlled where and when the money was spent. That's why I fear this $40 million dollar bond may be headed in the same direction. If it is managed properly, I will acknowledge it. If not, I will expose it. Unlike you, I give credit where credit is due and criticism where criticism is due.

    I met with former Superintendent of Warwick Schools Elliot LeFebvre, who asked me, "What control do YOU think the School Committee had over the 2006 bond?" I told him I believed it was "joint-control" between the Mayor and the School Committee. He responded "BULLS***!! It was 100% Mayor Avedisian!"

    I do believe that this time around this Mayor and this City Council will have greater success, and I also believe that this City Council is MUCH less of a rubber stamp that Avedisians Council, so your comment that the money will be spent correctly may actually happen. I hope it does. The students and the 80,000 taxpayers that are paying the tab, deserve nothing less.

    I'll be watching.

    Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    The two-time election reject again twists facts and history to make his uninformed and baseless statements.

    His statements about the first of two mayors to overwhelmingly defeat him in elections are typical for a loser like him.

    As mayor Avedisian explains in the following Beacon article, he recommended that the city council withhold past bond funds because of a lack of communication and accountability by previous superintendents. When that changed, Avedisian went to the city council and asked them to release the funds:

    http://warwickonline.com/stories/mayor-offers-to-pay-12-of-new-school-bond-costs,108920?

    So, he is criticizing Mayor Avedisian for the exact thing that the two-time election reject claims to support -- accountability by the school department.

    His imaginary conversation with a past school official does nothing to change these facts.

    The two-time election reject's delusional belief in his own influence -- "I will expose it," "I'll be watching" -- is only exceeded by his limitless attempts to rewrite history and twist facts to support his false views.

    Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Report this

  • wwkvoter

    Great factual post Raven. No one cares what the two time election loser, tax delinquent, and evictee for nonpayment, thinks about how to run a 300+ million dollar city. No one at all.

    His great stand before the council ended with him blathering, and evicted to scamper away from the microphone by the real officials who actually won elections and actually run the city.

    One can only hope that he doesnt pay his internet bill someday so he can be "evicted" from here too...

    Wednesday, November 21, 2018 Report this

  • Mike02886

    At what point do you throw in the towel and go away. Lies, blaming others and no factual truth. The made up title is something that would get people placed into a mental institution.

    Friday, November 23, 2018 Report this