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School committee gets to work on renovations

By Mikaela Slaney

Thu Aug 30, 2007, 06:29 PM EDT

Abington, Mass. -

Now that school is back in session, the school committee met for the first time in months Tuesday night.

School committee members said a major priority this year is the general improvement of school buildings throughout the town, most notably the high school windows and doors.

The Early Childhood Center windows will also be replaced next summer so as not to interfere with this year’s classes.

School superintendent Peter Schafer noted the school would look like a new building to people passing by, were it not for the windows.

He also noted that the windows are outdated, and allow heat to escape, which would prove cost inefficient to the town.

Renovations to the high school doors and replacement of the windows are currently being estimated at $2,052,740.

The school committee also earmarked $109,000 for 105 new computers and their pertaining equipment to be distributed among Abington schools, with nearly half going to the high school.

The school department also plans to replace desks, chairs, and the Abington High School bleachers, estimated at more than 45 years old.

According to Schafer, the bleachers are being replaced as a potential insurance liability, and would be replaced next summer.

Despite renovation cost estimates, Schafer said the school department is still maintaining a level service budget.

Several school committee members commented on the financial needs of the school department, and requested additional involvement by town manager Phillip Warren Jr. in creating the school budgeting proposal.

“Our hope is he’ll be more involved in our process,” said school committee chairwoman Brenda Pignone. “We do need a lot to improve our buildings.”

Schafer said the board of selectmen has been involved in the school department needs.

“They’ve been good about trying to learn about our budget,” he said.

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