Boards to explore High School ADA compliance
GRANBY – The Selectboard and School Committee are gathering information on the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance of the Granby Junior Senior High School building following concerns brought up by the committee.
Town Administrator Chris Martin is set to gather information about an ADA compliance inspection by the town’s shared building inspector.
In a recent letter to the Selectboard, the School Committee expressed interest in the future of the conditions and operational efficiency of the high school.
Selectboard member Glenn Sexton said the letter stimulated a conversation, which needed to happen.
“We are talking about it and taking some steps. Maybe the School Committee and Selectboard start meeting on a quarterly basis to talk about this and updates. Perhaps we get the Finance Committee involved as well,” he said. “This is a big project to address on all sides.”
School Committee Chair Jennifer Bartosz read a letter sent to the Selectboard from the committee.
The district has done proactive measures to attempt to address concerns about the building including an internal facilities assessment which details needs for the building and grounds.
“Over the past three consecutive years the Granby School Committee has diligently submitted a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority,” she read. “Superintendent Sullivan has met with the Select Board each year for your approval in this regard each year as time passes, new issues continue to arise necessitating our collective attention and action.”
Last year at the annual town meeting, a project to address needs of the high school’s kitchen and cafeteria was approved by voters. Bartosz said while it would be great to have the issue addressed, there are concerns that the entire building would need to be ADA compliant.
“It is in this context we that we emphasize the critical need for a comprehensive plan regarding the Granby Junior Senior High School facility,” she read. “Timely decisions and strategic planning are essential to address the existing concerns and prevent further deterioration that may significantly impact the school’s ability to serve its educational purpose.”
She said the committee didn’t want to force action from the board, but to create a plan to move forward in collaboration with the Selectboard.
Currently, food for the high school is being made at East Meadow School and is brought over to the high school. The reason the cafeteria was addressed first was due to need.
Another project was the boilers at the school, which are original to the building. The matter was a joint item with HVAC repairs in the FY22 town meeting, the article wasn’t approved.
It is currently unknown what financial threshold exists that would cause the school district to bring the entire high school building up to compliance.
Selectboard member Crystal Dufresne asked if that would be something the building inspector could determine.
Sexton replied that the building inspector may be able to tell the town what needs to be done to bring the building into ADA compliance.
Finance Committee Chair John J. Libera Jr. spoke in the meeting as well, agreeing with the board and committee.
“We need that first question answered [about the cost to bring the school up to ADA compliance.] From there, we can move on to address what’s next. If, for example, it’s thought that the best thing to do would be to keep educating students like they are now. Then from there you have to start a very serious study into what that would cost,” he said. “We know that we know that the costs are going to be high because any kind of preliminary work that’s been done looking at things show that the renovation costs are outrageous, and the building costs are getting worse. And compliance issues are paramount, and anything is being done.”
