Do you still use anything that has not been updated since the late 1960s? The students at Miller-Driscoll school in Wilton do everyday: the school itself.
Sean OToole, director of maintenance and buildings for the Wilton schools, and his steering committee are close to designing the renovations needed to bring the school up to date. First, though, it needs the design funds $200,000 from the towns capital bonding plan.
Almost everything today needs to be put up to code, O Toole says of Miller-Driscoll. You can defer [renovations] so long before you reach a point.
Miller-Driscoll is the oldest building in the district and has seen few changes since opening. Its problems include a leaky roof, decomposed steel siding and no sprinkler system. The schools have avoided making renovations in the past because these issues were grandfathered in but cannot look the other way any longer, OToole says.
The steering committee for the Miller-Driscoll project was put together in 2007 and has been trying to determine the best ways to bring the school into the 21st century. Last year, the committee received $250,000 but not much of it has been used. OToole said the committee was not ready to move forward then but are more ready this year. Were narrowing down to possibly hit the home run, OToole says.
On Wednesday night, OToole, Superintendent Gary Richards and Director of Financial Planning Kenneth Post presented the Miller-Driscoll plan and other long-range capital projects to the Board of Selectmen. The town votes on the projects at a public hearing in May.
What do you think is the most pressing renovation facing the school district now? What work do you think could be delayed?
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