Middletown board approves specifications to add children’s handrail, abate asbestos at Kegwin; board to cover $20,697 match

The Middletown Board of Education approved education specifications to submit to the State Commissioner of Administrative Services to add a children’s handrail and to fund an asbestos abatement project at Kegwin School, district staff said during a special board meeting.

The measures, approved by roll-call votes, are intended to address code violations on the main center stairwell and two west staircases and to remove asbestos in the cafeteria, art room, kindergarten room and adjoining hallways so the district can prepare the building for incoming McDonough students.

Marco Gaylord, a district facilities staff member, told the board, “The district is applying to the State Commissioner of Administrative Services to address code violations by adding a children's handrail on the center main staircase and the two west staircases from the first floor to the second floor at Kegwin School.” He also described the asbestos abatement scope and said he could answer questions about the work.

Board Chair Sheila Daniels moved to approve the education specifications for the handrail submission; Elizabeth (Liz) Crooks seconded. The board recorded yes votes from Elizabeth Crooks, Sheila Daniels, Deborah Goss, Adam Hain and Halpin Sierra. The motion carried.

Daniels then moved to approve the education specifications for the asbestos abatement submission; Crooks seconded. That vote reflected yes responses from Elizabeth Crooks, Sheila Daniels, Deborah Goss, Adam Hain, Susan Owens and Halpin Sierra, and also carried.

During discussion, board member Elizabeth Crooks said, “I was surprised that 1972, they were still using asbestos,” prompting Gaylord to explain that much of the asbestos-related material in the building is in the mastic — the glue beneath tile — and that pockets of asbestos-containing tile or mastic remain in some district buildings.

Natalie Forbes, a district staff member who explained the grant process, said the application to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) follows a required sequence: the city’s common council must approve a resolution allowing the board to apply; a building committee must be established (one exists for Kegwin); schematic drawings and specifications must be authorized; and the city must review fiscal impact. Forbes said the state’s current reimbursement rate is 66.07% and the required local match is 33.93%.

Forbes said the superintendent authorized the board’s commitment of $20,697 — representing the 33.93% local match for the project — and that the Middletown Common Council registered that commitment at its April 7 regular meeting. She said the commitment will appear as a transfer to a capital line at the board’s regular meeting next week.

When a board member asked why the city did not provide the match, Forbes replied the city had recently provided other large match amounts and the board elected to provide the match to move the project forward more quickly; she said the superintendent’s action was within the superintendent’s authority.

The board did not discuss construction bidding, a project schedule or contractor selection during the special meeting; Gaylord and district staff said they would answer questions about those items as needed in later meetings. The submissions approved at the special meeting will be sent to the State Commissioner of Administrative Services as the next step.

The meeting adjourned after the two votes and brief discussion.