At the August 8th Board of Education Committee of the Whole meeting, plans to renovate 3 Hartford schools were unveiled.  And things are starting off great.  It was revealed by Paul Drummy, Hartford’s Director of Capital Projects, that despite not even having stuck a shovel in the ground, the project is already $20 million over budget.

Betances Learning Lab Magnet School at 42 Charter Oak Avenue was built in 1924 and last renovated in 1986.  Construction will start during the summer of 2024 and be completed in the fall of 2027.  This renovation will cost $43 million.

The E.B. Kennelly School at 180 White Street was built in 1900 and last renovated in 1993.  Construction will start during the summer of 2024 and be completed in the fall of 2027.  This renovation will cost $51 million.

The Fred D. Wish Memorial School at 104 Vine Street was built in 1962 and hasn’t had a major renovation since.  This school is not currently occupied.  This renovation will cost $49 million.

Applications were submitted to the state in 2020 and by June of 2021 the legislature had approved the construction projects.  Project managers, architects, and construction managers were hired for each project, design work and estimating work was done.  And here we are, about to bring out the Tonkas, and we are told we need to pony up another $20 million.

Mr. Drummy said that among other things, “escalating costs” and pandemic related supply chain issues have driven up the total cost of this project before one steeled-toed boot hits the ground.  He also said that city and state talking heads are huddled together to come up with some more cash.  Great.

Aside from the price tag blowing in the wind, the rest of the project should go well.  Well, that is what HPS Chief Operating Officer Sherri Davis-Googe would like us to believe.  Ms. Googe stated that the design and program schematic portion of the planning was a “massive effort” involving input from every stakeholder imaginable, “to be sure we’re not missing anything.”   Unlike the planning effort on the Bulkeley High renovation I guess (“Bulkeley Students to HPS: We Need Our High School Back”).

Wait, weren’t we told that the Bulkeley renovation would be a rebuild while students remain in the building, but then when they got to the roof, having students in the building figured to be a problem?

These 3 projects are being hailed as “renovate as new” projects, which means a total gutting and rebuild.  It was also stated that the projects would be “building occupied during construction.”  No mention was made of replacing the roofs.

Ms. Googe is also claiming that HPS is receiving a 95% reimbursement rate from the state due to HPS’ “District Model of Excellence.”  I think something was left out of this explanation.  A district’s “plan” for improving outcomes for students, despite that not happening, is the reason the state is giving a reimbursement rate Ms. Googe claims no other district in Connecticut is getting?  I’m celebrating my 2nd day birthday today.

Get out your Dickies, this is going to be a long dirty process.