Dare Students Expected to Move Into Trailers Dec. 12

By Amber Lester Kennedy Wednesday, November 30, 2011

 

Dare Elementary School students could begin moving into an eight-classroom portable unit on Dec. 12, according to a letter sent to parents Tuesday by Chief Operations Officer Carl James.

 

The students have been displaced from their classrooms since the beginning of the school year, due to prolonged construction projects and damage from Hurricane Irene. The administration said its contractor, American Veteran Construction, Inc., failed to complete renovation projects by the start of school, and then failed to seal the building in preparation for the storm. Since then, the administration has been negotiating with the contractor to agree on a mold remediation plan. (Read more here.)

James said the division anticipates all plumbing work will be completed this week and hopes to receive a Certificate of Occupancy next week, following final inspections. Staff will then move in furniture and teachers will have a chance to set up and decorate their rooms. Students currently attending classes in the gym and in a two-classroom portable unit will then move into the new classroom unit.

The two-classroom portable will become a library, and the gym will serve as a cafeteria, gym and multi-purpose space. While the gym will be ready quickly for student use, James anticipates it will take longer for the library’s shelves to be installed and for the collection to be shelved.

In his letter, James said the division continues to face challenges with the construction projects in the main building. After resolving outstanding warranty issues, a new roofing contractor is expected to begin work this week, he said. The completion of roof work will depend on the weather conditions. “We do feel confident, though, that this contractor will diligently work to complete the project as quickly as possible, will keep the building water-tight throughout the process and, most importantly, will install the roof in accordance with all specifications,” James said.

The County Attorney’s Office is reviewing a supplemental contract for remediation work, which will allow the division to hire a new contractor to take on the remaining projects. The new contractor will follow remediation recommendations made by Marine Chemist. Once finalized, the remediation work will be a “relatively quick process,” James said.

Problems with the previous electrical work have forced the main building to fail multiple inspections, leading the division to ask the contractor to cease any electrical work on the building until the deficiencies are addressed. James said the building will not be occupied until all electrical work meets the National Electric Code.

Updates on the project can be found on the division’s website here.