By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — School board members aren’t certain whether it’s best to renovate or replace aging Long Lots Elementary School, but they do know it won’t take as long to decide as it did with the recently completed Coleytown Middle School reconstruction project.

“I am very confident the board is going to take action expeditiously to move to the next step,” Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice said during the Board of Education meeting Tuesday. “I cannot see this languishing six, eight, ten, 12 months from now. I see board action happening.”

Last week, a consultant analyzing problems at Long Lots reported that renovations costing at least $22 million — or even possibly replacing the building — should be considered.

Board members talked about deciding the best course of action in two to three months, after consulting with state and talking to experts, including parents who suffered through the protracted Coleytown renovation project.

That was music to the ears of Long Lots parents, who listened to the board discussion as it unfolded in the Staples High School cafeteria.

“Finally” a comprehensive review of Long Lots problems

“Finally a comprehensive perspective of [the school’s] deficiencies,” said Paula Soto, co-president of the Long Lots PTA. Soto said a report presented by the international consultant, Colliers Project Leaders, calls for bold action.

Maintenance has been a long recurring topic at Long Lots, but was primarily addressed with short-term solutions.

Long Lots was built in 1953 as a junior high school, and there have been growing concerns about mold, leaks and the heating and cooling systems in the building. 

Last August, in addition to tackling mold detected by parents through a Tools For School analysis, a comprehensive study was conducted by Colliers.

Some mold was found and remediated at the time. Leaks were fixed. 

Mold, leaks and general deterioration identified

The Colliers study, however, involved not only indoor air quality but an exhaustive study of the building’s windows, walls, roof and ceilings, in addition to mechanical and electrical systems using an infrared camera.

In a nutshell, the study points to a building that is deteriorating, leaking energy and with outdated mechanical systems that fail to meet modern demands.

The Long Lots report findings are not covered in the district’s five-year capital plan.

“It is clear the building is aging out,” Charles Warrington, a project director for Colliers, told the school board.

That said, Scarice said the building is safe to inhabit and use.

“I know what the community went through with the closure of Coleytown,” said Scarice. Mold issues shut the school while repairs were made, sending students to other schools.

Some hazardous materials were detected at Long Lots, but only those typical of a building constructed in the 1950s, such as asbestos encapsulated in walls and ceilings,

“Zero” talk about moving students; $22M likely not enough for comprehensive renovations

Scarice sought to quell rumors that next steps could include moving Long Lot’s 580 students out of the building.

“There has been zero talk [about that]. Zero,” said Scarice.

The Colliers report, delivered last week to the board’s Finance and Facilities Committee estimates that repairs to Long Lots could be $22 million, but Warrington warned that cost figure is a starting point.

Replacing mechanical systems will also have an impact on lighting, ceilings and electrical systems. It also does not take into account what might be uncovered once walls are opened up.

“Twenty-two million dollars doesn’t buy us a full renovation,” said board member Robert Harrington.

The Coleytown renovation, largely completed more than a year ago, cost $32 million.

Warrington was hesitant to estimate what a full Long Lots renovation or a completely new building would cost. There are too many variables to consider, he said.

He did say a new 103,000-square-foot school that Colliers is working on in another district came in at more than $61 million.

Long Lots encompasses 109,000 square feet, according to district officials. That is too big, by state standards, to qualify for reimbursement given the school’s enrollment.

Health and safety of students, staff a priority

Board Chairwoman Lee Goldstein said the first priority has to be the health and safety of students and staff at Long Lots.

“How do we ensure that as we figure out our next steps?” Goldstein asked.

Scarice said his intention is to return to the board in two to three months with two or three options that will better serve the school and its instructional model.

Those options appear to include a full renovation of the school or to rebuild it, either on its current footprint or somewhere else on its property.

Harrington and board member Neil Phillips both suggested getting feedback from Coleytown parents as the options are mulled over.

“Ask them if they had to do it over again, would they have [the school] built from scratch or renovate,” Harrington said.

Broad survey of all school facilities needed

Harrington added that beyond Long Lots, the school board needs a more holistic, comprehensive handle on the district’s infrastructure.

It is almost a “here we go again” situation, Harrington said.

He questioned why the district’s five-year capital report, conducted by Antinozzi Associates in 2019, did not indicate the level of problems at Long Lots.

The district, he said needs a deeper inspection of its infrastructure and an action plan. Until it does, he said school officials will not have credibility with the Board of Finance or community.

Harrington also thanked the parents who consistently raised alarms about the building’s condition.

The town may have one of the best school districts in the state, but Harrington called the quality of its school buildings inconsistent.

“This is not an acceptable school building in Westport in 2022,” he said.

Parents grateful for planned action

RTM member Laura Karpf, District 7, and a Long Lots parent, agreed, calling it refreshing to hear the school board is poised to move forward and take action.

“Thank you, this has been a very long road,” she said. “Seven years of parents yelling and screaming.”

She echoed Harrington in saying that once the project is in motion, the board needs to look at its process for making sure all schools are safe and appropriate learning environments.

Joe Nader, a Long Lots parent, told the board that although there are similarities between the Coleytown and Long Lots situations, at least Long Lots students do not need to immediately leave their school.

He cautioned against applying short-term fixes in a building that might be replaced.