Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middletown council approves Board of Education grant application to add child-sized handrails at Kegwin School
Summary
The Middletown Common Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the Board of Education to apply for a state grant to add child-sized handrails on three staircases at Kegwin School to address code and safety concerns; BOE staff said no additional local funds are requested and will provide fund-balance details later.
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The Middletown Common Council on April 29 approved a resolution allowing the Board of Education to apply for a state grant to add child-sized handrails on the center and two west staircases between the first and second floors at Kegwin School.
Councilman Steven Kovac read the resolution, which also establishes a Kegwin School renovation committee and authorizes the preparation of schematic drawings and specifications for the work. Councilman Kovac moved approval; Councilwoman Jeanette Blackwell seconded. The council approved the measure by voice vote with no opposition or abstentions recorded in the transcript.
Marco Gaylord, executive director of operations for Middletown Public Schools, said the work is intended to address code violations and safety concerns for kindergarten and first-grade students who will be using second-floor stairways after a planned move from McDonough to Kegwin next school year. "We just want to be able to apply to the state and make this necessary renovation happen for next school year," Gaylord said.
Natalie Forbes, executive director of finance for the Board of Education, told the council the handrails will address ADA compliance as well as safety issues. When asked about the Board of Education general fund balance to cover the work, Forbes said she did not have that figure at the meeting and would provide it later.
Gaylord also said the district worked with Fire Marshal Al Lesper on the project and that the BOE is not requesting additional local funds as part of the grant application.
Sheila Daniels, chair of the Board of Education, thanked the council for accommodating the BOE after the recent passing of Dr. Stacy McCann and asked council members to submit any follow-up questions to the superintendent for timely responses. The council adjourned after completing the special meeting business.
Notes: The transcript contains inconsistent spellings of the school name (appearing as both "Kegwin" and "Kegman"); this article standardizes on "Kegwin School" and notes the variation. The grant application will be submitted to the State Commissioner of Administrative Services as stated in the resolution; the transcript does not include a dollar amount or an exact implementation timeline.
