Schools &Education
Why are Schools & Education important for a livable Newport?
The future of Newport is linked to the health of our education system. Newport's economy depends upon an educated, trained workforce, well-prepared to meet the needs of today as well as able to continue to 'grow' opportunities for future business development. For Newport to grow and prosper, we need to attract young families and companies and to do so we need to have a well-respected public education system. Education is an investment in life that cannot be lost or taken away. Our school system must provide our young Newporters with the educational opportunities, training options and life skills to meet the demands of an increasingly complex and global economy.
PELL SCHOOL UPDATE
Finding suitable avenues to control the cost overruns for the construction of the proposed $30 million Claiborne Pell Elementary School for Newport continues. Since late October when the construction bids came in about 20% over budget, the School Committee has replaced its construction manager, and the Building and School Committees have approved cuts in the plan to save about $3 million. Some of the cuts include playground equipment, landscaping, elimination of a soccer field, changed the roof line of the gymnasium and less expensive finished surfaces of walls and floors.
There have been discussions with School Committee members and interested citizens to pursue alternative construction methods that might result in considerable savings and allow some of the cuts to be reinstated. There is also concern among some community members that most of the sustainable or “green” elements of the design will be lost, resulting in the building losing some of it CHPS points.
The next Building Committee meeting in early January will review new architectural drawings with the cuts and make a plan to move forward. It is hoped construction can begin in March.
(article contributed by Susan Wells)
