Elizabeth Forward approves Phase 1 for high school work plans
By LIAM BELAN
lbelan@yourmvi.com
The Elizabeth Forward School Board approved the proposed contract with McLean Architects for the first phase of additions and site improvements at the high school as well as the district’s new comprehensive plan for the next three school years during Wednesday night’s meeting.
After fielding a question on what the approved phase entailed, Solicitor John Rushford gave the specifics.
“The action item tonight is regarding preparing plans,” Rushford said. “It’s not approving plans, which is a whole separate matter. That would be subject to discussion … this is just to prepare the plans and begin the process. So, we’re at the very beginning of this whole process.”
Those plans will continue to be openly discussed and shared during public meetings, and the entirety of the board encouraged the public to attend meetings to learn more or voice concerns.
In addition, the district released a prepared statement about the ongoing changes at the high school since the Feb. 12 fire that left students out of the building for two months.
It stated that the district has been working closely with its property insurer over the past six months to seek recovery for covered items in connection with the fire. As of Wednesday, preliminary estimates with respect to the fire loss have identified at least $27 million in costs for the remediation, repair or replacement of damaged items and costs associated with certain site improvements.
According to the statement, the district has an opportunity to modernize its facilities to match some recent renovations made at similarly-sized districts.
“Our long-term vision for our high school is to create a dynamic, self-contained, safe and modernized space that all our students will benefit from,” the statement continued.
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