High school school committee approves summer safety upgrades
By Lauren Folino
Published: June 25, 2009
The Martha's Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) committee has approved more than $60,000 for building safety improvements.
The work is scheduled for the summer and will be paid for with funds left over from the 2009 fiscal year (FY 2009) budget.
In his expenditure report to the committee members at their last meeting of the school year Monday, high school accounts manager Mark Freeman said there had been no overspending in any department in FY 2009, which ends on June 30. He said the school is on target to finish the year under budget.
Mr. Freeman said the school expects to have $691,830 available in its excess and deficiency (E&D) fund.
The committee approved the use of E&D money to pay for several projects.
This winter the high school was forced to close off the upper portion of the Performing Arts Center due to building code safety violations discovered during a routine inspection. The school will install new railings and floor lighting at a cost of approximately $45,000.
New fire doors, door closers, and panic bars will be installed throughout the building at a cost of $25,000.
The committee also approved $22,728 to upgrade equipment in the school science lab. In total, the committee approved the expenditure of $377,768 for various projects.
In other business, school superintendent James Weiss announced three resignations and one retirement. German teacher Petra McCarron, and French teachers Kerri O'Keeffe and Jace Chrzanowski will not return next year. Longtime faculty member and science teacher Bill Schwabe will retire after 35 years in the classroom.
