Architects, Construction Firm Brief School Officials on SHS Project Goals

The Sandy Hook Elementary School project is operating on schedule with a May 2016 deadline for completion, representatives from architecture firm Svigals + Partners and construction firm Consigli told Board of Education members Tuesday night.

Planning representatives said the project is moving according to schedule — asbestos removal is complete and two-thirds of the building has been demolished to date — and has entered the second phase of work, in which experts will meet with community members to plan a useful layout for the school.

"We're looking at the global issues of the school's design," said Svigals project manager Julia McFadden. "What's important to you? What are the special characteristics, that are unique to [Newtown], we'll use to inspire us in the school?""

The goal is still to finish demolition by the first anniversary of the shooting on Dec. 14, officials said. Architects praised the fast-moving process, which firm founder Barry Svigals described as unlike any other he'd worked on.

"We rarely have the opportunity to work with construction management as early on in the process, and we've forged a team that already is working extremely well," he said. "That's a factor in both time and quality in completing project."

Not all school officials were happy with the update. Board member John Vouros told representatives this was "the first time we've heard May" as the deadline.

"At least, it's the first time I've heard it," he said. Vouros said he had understood the school could be reopened as soon as January 2016, which would allow students who attended the original Sandy Hook Elementary School prior to the shooting to return for half a year.

Officials told Vouros that "wasn't really possible."

"The school system would not move students mid-year anyway, so there was never a plan to move into this building prior to August," McFadden said. (Supt. John Reed clarified he had not said the district would not move students mid-year.)

In the past, town officials have mentioned January 2016 as a possible "fast-track" goal, but have refrained from making promises the school could be ready by then.

"The goal is to have the school open for school year 2016-17. That's September of 2016," First Selectman Pat Llodra told Patch prior to the Oct. 5 town vote that allowed the project to move forward. "[Consigli] feels they might be able to get the school completed by January 2016 ... If that's the case, and we don't want to promise that, the Board of Education would make that decision. Do they want to bring kids back in a year or the following year? January 2016 would be the fast track. We don't want to promise, and we don't know if it's a wise decision."

Before leaving, project leaders guaranteed officials they'd be able to deliver the project under the $50 million budget limited by the voter-approved bond from the state of Connecticut, but said they weren't sure how much under budget they'd be able to deliver.

"There's a lot of factors here," said Consigli representative Aaron Krieger. "This is a large site, we're bringing in a new roadway and we have wetlands around edges ... These factors play on how much [will be] left over, but we do all feel we have the right amount in this budget to do the school Sandy Hook is looking for, and that will be an exceptional place."

Vouros implored representatives to "please, please make sure this budget is adhered to."

"We cannot go over on this," he said. "We cannot. I can't impress on you that enough. You've all been alerted."

Architects told Board of Education officials they'd continue briefing them regularly on progress. The first specs for the Sandy Hook Elementary School plan are expected by the end of January.