RSU 51 says Carolyn F. Small School is 14 months from completion as architects explain design, codes and heat-pump system

Jeff Porter, superintendent of RSU 51/MSAD 51, said the district’s new Carolyn F. Small School is about 14 months from completion during the third episode of the district’s “Hard Hat Chats.” The episode featured architect Doug of Stephen Blatt Architects and Greg Bouchard, the project’s clerk of the works, who reviewed design choices, phasing and ongoing construction work.

The project is part of a one-campus plan that also includes a new facilities building, expanded parking, a turf field and renovations at Mabel I. Wilson (MIW). "We've got the new facilities building. The old facilities building came down," Greg Bouchard said, describing site changes that include expanded utilities, stormwater work and a new parent and bus circulation layout.

Architect Doug said the team broke the campus work into 11 separate phases, with several elements started early to avoid disrupting school activities. "This one has 11 [phases], each one with its own time frame," he said, adding the maintenance building demolition and turf field work began…