School leaders hope to accelerate renovation of West Millbrook Middle School

“Are there issued with the 40 year old school? Yes. Is it on the list for renovations? Yes,” said Chief Financial Officer David Nester.

The district’s plan had been to renovate the school by 2023, but some say the time to do something is now.

“The physical buildings are falling apart. They’re crumbling every day,” Jocelyn McGuiness-Hickey, who has two kids at the school, said last week. "The kids’ instructional time is being disrupted on a regular basis because of them having to get re-shuffled around.”

The complaints included sewage coming up from the floors, plaster coming off the ceiling, splintering walls and a concave courtyard.

“It is true that West Millbrook has been looked at for renovation or replacement for several years and it’s been pushed down the list of projects,” school board member Bill Fletcher said.

Fletcher said the use of “swing space,” which is space to move students and teachers to while renovation is underway, is partially to blame for the delay. He says swing space projects are typically done first.

“The idea that West Millbrook is going to be replaced on its own campus and will not need swing space kind of worked to the disadvantage of that project over the years,” Fletcher said.

The Facilities Committee on Wednesday asked the board to accelerate the West Millbrook project by at least a year, which is what the school board will now consider doing.

As for short-term solutions, like carpets, tile surfaces, ceiling tiles and heating and cooling systems, repairs are underway.

“Those will be immediate benefits at the school, so anyone who comes to that school today will see those things,” Fletcher said.

School officials will discuss which project should receive a priority downgrade at a May 9 meeting.