By Abigail W. Adams
From left: Cindy Collamore, Theresa Meehan, Tim Delano, Lori Munson, Paula Foye, and Lynn Lincoln cut the ribbon to introduce the community to Wiscasset Elementary School. The ribbon cutters all work at the school and themselves attended kindergarten in the building, Principal Mona Schlein said. (Abigail Adams photo) |
Wiscasset Elementary School opened its doors to the community Thursday, Aug. 27 in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked a new beginning for the former middle school. The community turned out in force to see the completed building, which underwent renovation throughout the summer as the Wiscasset School Department transitioned to a two-school district.
“The outpouring of support is phenomenal,” Wiscasset Elementary School Principal Mona Schlein said. Teachers and staff donated their time to successfully complete the transition from the former primary school to the new elementary school, Schlein said. “It’s monumental the work that’s been done here,” she said.
Pre-kindergartners through sixth-graders began the school year in their new building Monday, Aug. 31 with a brand new playground, one of the promises of the school committee if voters approved closing the Wiscasset Primary School and moving pre-K through fourth grade to the former middle school.
“This is really exciting,” Wiscasset School Committee member Chelsea Haggett said. “(The playground) truly was a collaborative effort with the town and I really think it’s going to help kids with the transition.”
Wiscasset School Department Superintendent Heather Wilmot, Wiscasset School Committee member Chelsea Haggett, and department Administrative Assistant Stacey Souza stand in front of Wiscasset Elementary School’s new playground Thursday, Aug. 27. Due to the collaborative effort of the school department and the town, the playground was open for students on their first day of school Monday, Aug. 31. (Abigail Adams photo) |
Since the December 2014 vote to close the primary school, the playground committee has worked toward constructing a new playground at the former middle school. Additional funds for the playground were approved at the school department’s town-wide budget meeting, enabling the construction of what some called a “Cadillac” playground plan, which included new climbers and a protective surface beneath the new equipment.
Due to collaboration between the Wiscasset Public Works Department, parks and recreation department, and school department, the playground was repaved, the curb was cut to enable plowing of the blacktop, and protective surface was laid under the new playground equipment.
In addition to the playground, the public works department repaved portions of the elementary school entrance, created a new staff parking area to the side of the bus turnaround, and helped replace the landing stoop at the south side of the building with a wooden deck.
The landing stoop had been identified as a major source of water intrusion in the building resulting in mold growth. Mold growth was discovered in several classrooms in the basement following an April inspection called for due to concerns expressed by parents and staff.
The mold remediation measures recommended by Air Quality Management Services Inc., which conducted the inspection that discovered the mold, are now complete, Wiscasset School Department Superintendent Heather Wilmot said at the school committee meeting the evening of Thursday, Aug. 27. Wilmot inspected the mold remediation work as it was conducted by ServPro, a fire and water restoration and mold remediation company.
According to Wilmot, all areas passed a visual inspection, moisture reading, and surface sample and air sample tests following the remediation work. No fungal growth or spores were detected on any of the surfaces. “I feel very comfortable that students and staff will be safe in those classrooms,” Wilmot said.
“We’re all very excited,” first-grade teacher Tracy Stover said. For the past week, students have been stopping by the building and helping set up the classrooms, Stover said.
Former Wiscasset Middle School interim Principal Bruce Scally attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wiscasset Elementary School and said he was impressed by the work done on the building. “The facility is in good shape,” he said. “The transition was just amazing. They’re ready for the new school year. I think the kids are going to really enjoy it.”