After only one bid to resurface the playground at Old Hammondtown School came in, and much higher than the amount allotted by Town Meeting, Mattapoisett School Committee members January 12 voted to reject the bid and reconsider their options.
School Business Manager Patrick Spencer told the committee it had a few options: accept the bid “at a ridiculously high price”; put the project out to bid again and hope for a lower offer; or reconsider simply patching up certain parts of the surface that need it most.
“A repair doesn’t make sense,” said committee member James Muse. And we cannot afford to replace it, said Chairman James Higgins.
The committee tossed around some ideas such as having the Department of Public Works do some of the work to save money, having a thinner layer of ground surface applied over the existing surface, or perhaps decreasing the surface area to be padded with the new ground surface. The committee figured it was best to consult with the town administrator and investigate the Town completing some of the work.
In other news, Assistant Superintendent Elise Frangos announced the receipt of a technology grant from the state for $20,000, with $10,000 to go to each of the schools to expand technology infrastructure.
She said 47 schools in the state were awarded the grant money, which the town will have to match at a ratio of 70/30, with the town investing roughly an additional $50,000 toward technology. This, said Superintendent Doug White, is practical since the district is already budgeting for more technology purchases and upgrades for the schools.
“We’re really pleased to jump on board with that,” said Frangos.
Also during the meeting, Spencer said when he gave the committee an initial estimate for the cost to install a new fence around the Center School playground he was mistaken in the length of the fence.
His estimate was for 18 feet of fence, but he did not add in the additional 20 feet the committee approved, costing another $1,600. Spencer asked the committee if it was content with the 18 feet or if it wanted to add the additional 20 feet.
“It’s not a ton of money,” said Higgins. “We might as well do it the right way.”
The committee approved the additional $1,600.
In other matters, Center School and Old Hammondtown School Principal Rose Bowman requested approval for jazz band and select chorus members to travel to Canobie Lake Park in June to give a musical performance. The committee approved the field trip.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett School Committee is scheduled for 7:00 pm on February 9 at Center School.
By Jean Perry
