A major renovation of the Ocean City Primary School will be complete in time for the first day of classes on Tuesday, Sept. 8, a project manager told the Ocean City Board of Education on Wednesday.
Scott Weitz of New Road Construction Management provided an update to the board on a $5.6 million project to replace the school’s roof, heating and cooling systems (HVAC), plumbing and electrical systems, windows and doors. The building was constructed in 1965 and has never received any substantial improvements.
Principal Cathleen Smith moved back into her office on Wednesday, and the office staff will return on Thursday.
Concrete for sidewalks will be poured on Friday, Weitz said. Windows and roofing are complete with metal trim and downspouts the only exterior work that remains to be finished. Crews still must replace ceiling tiles on the interior.
The chiller that powers the cooling system will not be fully connected until the middle of next week — after teachers return to work on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
A temporary generator will be replaced by a permanent one, and a boiler will be installed after the cooling system is in place and operational.
Ocean City voters approved a $2.5 million school bond referendum in a 755-239 vote in March 2014 to help pay for the project. The district will receive $2,399,279 from a state grant for school construction, and the district will contribute the balance from a capital reserve fund.
