Fairfield Grants Sherman Clean Air, More Space

Principal Eileen Roxbee had reason to celebrate — and not just because she’ll get a new office at Roger Sherman School next year. She’s mostly glad that her students will get cleaner air to breathe, more time to eat lunch and a safer school in September. Roger Sherman’s $2.2 million renovation plan passed its final test Monday night, gaining approval from the Representative Town Meeting.

“[This project] is about safety, it’s about air quality and it’s about getting people out of closets and into proper space for our programs,” Roxbee said in her plea to the RTM.

The renovation project will install a new ventilation system, pumping fresh air throughout the building. It will also upgrade the school’s front office safety and increase space in the front of the building, adding classrooms, providing more space for the nurse's office and giving the Special Education Department its own designated area.

The plan also includes an expansion of the school’s lunch line and cafeteria. This was a sticking point for RTM member Kathryn Braun (R-8), who suggested removing that item from the project, deeming it unnecessary. But the rest of the body agreed with parents such as Meredith McCormack, who said that the five minutes some kids have to eat lunch because of long lines is unacceptable.

“Our cafeteria was built to service 357 children,” Meredith said. “Our school capacity is 483. You just can’t fit 483 kids in that cafeteria.”

The RTM also agreed to give the school district startup money for two other construction projects: replacing roofs at Fairfield Warde High School and fixing windows at Fairfield Ludlowe High School. The Town Facilities Commission has the $35,000 it needs to see how much of Warde’s leaking, past-warranty roof needs fixing now. It also has the $40,000 it needs to do the same testing on Ludlowe’s leaking windows.

What do you think about the renovations at Sherman? Have you heard your kids complain about long lunch lines? Sound off in the comments below.

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