After nearly six years, renovations at Glenelg High School are almost ready to begin.
“We?re working with the [Maryland Department of the Environment] and county Health Department, and we have every reason to believe that we?ll get the final sign-off on the building permits within a week or two,” said Ken Roey, executive director of facilities and management for the Howard County Public School System.
The project had been delayed because the school system had to find enough land to build a septic system to accommodate the new addition and because some residents complained that the septic system could be harmful to their well water.
The first phase of the renovation, estimated to cost about $19 million, will include a new septic system and classroom and science room upgrades, and is expected to be completed in January 2008.
“We?re very excited about this. We?ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Johnnie Nussbaum, president of the Glenelg Parent Teacher Student Association. “We understand that the renovation could get started in December.”
The classroom addition will go a long way in relieving overcrowding at the school, which more than 1,200 students attend. The school is supposed to hold just under 1,000 students, said Nussbaum.
“This will give us more room for our instructional programs,” she said.
To make sure students are safe during the renovation, a barrier will be placed between them and workers, said Roey. “This will prevent kids from going into the construction area,” he said. Once the new classrooms are completed, students can move into them while other renovations are completed, said Roey.
“We will also be adding portable classrooms to give us some flexibility,” he said.
School officials said they were elated that the project will be under way in the near future.
“The long, long wait for the Glenelg community is almost over,” School Board Chairman Joshua Kaufman said .
“It?s been one delay after another. We can?t believe it?s finally happening,” said Patti Caplan, schools spokeswoman.
