Norwalk Public Schools construction update: South Norwalk Elementary opens; Norwalk High P-TECH rises; HVAC upgrades underway

Norwalk Public Schools facilities staff provided a broad construction update Sept. 3 covering the recently opened South Norwalk Elementary School, progress at the Norwalk High School P-TECH campus, and ongoing HVAC upgrades at several elementary schools.

South Norwalk Elementary: Facilities project staff reported the project received a conditional certificate of compliance from the building department on Aug. 13, enabling occupancy for the 2025–26 school year. "On August 25... the school welcomed the new students for the 2025 and 2026 school year," project staff said. Deliveries and teacher moves occurred in late July and early August to allow classroom setup before students arrived. Landscaping and site finishes remain active into the fall planting season. A ribbon-cutting was scheduled for Sept. 15 (public notice to follow). Staff noted ongoing punch-list work, turnover documentation and training for Board of Education facilities staff.

Norwalk High School P-TECH: The project completed structural steel erection and held a topping-off ceremony Aug. 14. Large crane work has been removed, retaining walls are in place for site grading near the multiuse field, and portions of the building envelope (brick, metal panels and window frames) are progressing. Interior mechanical, electrical and plumbing rough-in and metal stud framing are underway in classroom wings. Staff said major construction sequencing will continue across multiple building areas; the school building shell is on track for substantial building progress that supports classroom fit-out schedules. Staff projected building occupation phases beginning 2027 with total project completion (including demolition of the existing building and site work such as the football field and parking) expected in 2028.

HVAC and other upgrades: Several schools reported mechanical upgrades this summer. Brookside had three new rooftop units installed with remaining units scheduled online by Sept. 23; Rowayton received new boiler equipment and control work expected to be operational for the winter heating season in October; Brien McMahon completed new chiller piping in the cafeteria with temporary chiller arrangements still being phased out; Silvermine finished boiler-room abatement and painting and expects a new boiler to be online in October; Naramake (site investigations) had storage-room clearances underway for future gear installation. Facilities staff also said the Marvin School renovation scope will be re-bid in coming weeks because earlier bids were higher than anticipated; staff expect rebid results in approximately six weeks and will evaluate financial feasibility before moving forward.

Public comments and council questions touched on chiller noise at Brien McMahon. Staff said reduced use and cooler weather have limited the noise and that operations of the temporary system are being managed to minimize evenings and weekend operation; staff committed to follow up with additional checks and communication.

Ending: Staff indicated ongoing closeout work for the South Norwalk project and multiple active construction and mechanical upgrade projects across the district; more detailed procurement and schedule updates will return to the committee as projects reach new authorization or bid milestones.