By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT – A new plan appears to — at least temporarily— solve some space problems at Coleytown Elementary School.

The Board of Education had been preparing to ask the town for up to $750,000 to supply the school with a pair of portable classrooms that weren’t even due for delivery or installation until well past the start of the 2022-23 school year.

CES principal Janna Sirowich was prepared to sacrifice her office to make room, while contingency plans were devised to deliver some subjects on carts, music on the school stage, and to move some office space into closets.

Former Fairfield Portable

It now appears, however — after a quick bidding process — that the price tag will be far less than expected, and that the extra classroom space — enough to satisfy immediate needs of both CES and the Stepping Stones Preschool — can be installed before the start of the 2022-23 school year.

The district is looking to use refurbished classrooms last used at Holland Hill Elementary School in Fairfield.

Bids for the modular classrooms closed last week.

Elio Longo, chief financial officer, said only one qualified bid was received — from Aries Building Systems, LCC — which offered the refurbished two-classroom unit that was built in 2016.

Its base bid was $148,656 to lease the structure for 48 months, or $168,456 for 60 months.

They promised to install the unit within 90 days.

Approvals Still Needed

Following expected BOE approval at its next meeting, the structures will require permits from both the Planning and Zoning Department and the fire marshal.

Funding will also have to be approved by the town.

Though he didn’t name a figure, Longo said he expects the new price tag to be less than previously estimated.

He said there are still other bids out for other parts of the project, including a canopy. The district will also remove the current portable on the site — perhaps during April recess — and install fencing, security, and electrical connections.

Longo called it good news.

Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice said his hope would be to get the new unit on line for the first day of school.

“That would be really outstanding for Coley El,” he said.

Scarice credited Assistant Superintendent Mike Rizzo for helping broker the deal behind the scenes.

“This was a high priority for us,” Scarice said, with enrollment growing at both CES and SS, “(but) we are on track.”