Dear Wheeler School Families:

I am pleased to announce that on November 20, 2017, my office received official notice that the Wheeler Renovation project. has been approved by the Department of Administrative Services. As stated during previous communications, we are eligible for reimbursement of 65.36% of our costs. After the referendum passed in June, Andrew Batchelder, Steve Busel, Director of Facilities, Kevin Ross, Director of Technology, and Sam Adlerstein, Director of Business and Operations have worked with architects from Kaestle Boos and O & G Industries to insure all appropriate information was submitted to the state prior to the June 30, 2017 deadline.

Early on in the process we were assured that even though Wheeler School is considered oversized for its student population, we would be granted a size waiver. In spite of these assurances, at a meeting held in November at the Department of Administrative Services, state officials notified us that the size waiver would only be granted if we took the following steps:

  • Reduce our price per square foot for the project from $463 down to $450
  • Complete an updated enrollment summary report for the school district
  • Commit to enrolling additional students at Wheeler upon the completion of the project

The architects were able to cut $708,000 from the contingency line of the budget and it is our belief that we can still complete the project as designed. Once the Design and Development Phase is completed in January, we will be able to confirm this.

The Enrollment Summary was completed ·and forwarded to the state yesterday. Finally, we have committed that we will attempt to enroll up to 45 additional students at Wheeler upon completion of the project, which is estimated to be sometime during the 2020-21 school year. It is important to note that Linden St. School had to increase its enrollment upon the completion of their project in 2005.

I am hoping this letter provides you with an informative update to the Wheeler Renovation project. If you have any additional questions please contact my office or Mr. Batchelder.

Sincerely,

Maureen Brummett, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools