Work scheduled to start in summer on RCS upgrades

Work is expected to begin this summer on the school renovations and upgrades approved by RCS voters in October.

Facilities Director Eugene Doane said this week that state Education Department approval of the $2.35 million project is expected by the end of March or early in April.

Once approval is granted, the district will seek bids for the work.

The project - to be funded largely by state aid and a one-time state Expanding Children’s Education and Learning (EXCEL) grant - was approved on October 9 by a vote of 451 yes to 396 no.

Project work includes roof replacement over the high school cafeteria wing, replacement of leaky thermal windows, replacement of classroom locks and vestibule doors, as well as an expansion of the loading dock and replacement of the gymnasium ceiling.

In the middle school, work will include:

• Installation of natural gas service to the building, as well as installation of a natural gas-fired hot water heating system and replacement of the kitchen hot water heater.

• Replacement of the cafeteria and library air condition units with natural gas-fired units.

• Replacement of broken ceiling tiles

• In the elementary schools, work will include:

• Replacement of hot water heaters with more energy efficient models.

• Much of the work will be done when school is not in session to minimize impact on the instructional day.