Tam Adult School

 -

Adult Education

 -

Community Education

Bond Modernization Program Back-to-School Update

The following letter was sent to all Tam District faculty and staff in preparation for the start of school.

For all of you who are just getting into the rhythm of the new school year, welcome back! It’s clearly going to be a syncopated beat for many, with a temporarily disrupted (but clearly improved) computer network, budget-driven changes to our way of doing business, and the impact of modernization on just about all of us.

Ah, modernization! Some of you are returning to temporary portables – others are just now moving in. Still others are moving back – or into – freshly modernized spaces. And some of you, all packed and ready to relocate, will return to find that you’re staying put for a few more weeks and will have to function out of boxes for a short time. Be assured… everyone will be settled soon!

Here’s the (latest) move schedule, briefly:

All principals have communicated, or will communicate, site details to staff as appropriate. All staff and faculty impacted by the moves should communicate concerns and questions to the appropriate principal, facility AP, or Esther. Remember, dates/times can change at a moment’s notice, so if you’re moving, keep in touch!

Everyone should still be attentive to modernization’s impact on all sites, including:

• Safety. The contractor is legally responsible for safety on the site. That said, remember that if you see anything that appears unsafe – an open trench, loose fence, fast vehicle – please report it to your principal immediately. Our contractors have been conscientious about responding quickly to our concerns.
• Fencing. Construction fences are in place for your protection, and should be honored by everyone. Please set a good example for your students by not walking, driving, cycling or otherwise navigating yourselves through or inside the construction zones. This caveat particularly applies to teachers whose normal instructional space is inside the zone. These spaces are not open for browsing!
• Contractor Communication. Staff and faculty communications related to modernization go to the principals. Principals will communicate to the construction managers. That means NO ONE should be asking questions, giving direction, or otherwise communicating with the contractor or any workers. While it sounds like a no-brainer, it has happened on our sites within the last few months.

  Similarly, students and workers are to be kept separate – for everyone’s safety!

  Our contractors are also reminded regularly of the District’s non-smoking policy and the requirement for appropriate attire and language. Please report violations to your principal.

• Noise and Traffic. Construction is noisy and disruptive – there’s no way around it. We are working with the site administrators and contractors to mitigate these concerns as much as possible, and we beg your patience if we simply have no options. Special mitigation costs both time and money, which are both in short supply.

Here’s a Summer-Fall construction update:

At Tam, Gus Gym and Palmer Hall are now fully engulfed in modernization. Abatement and demolition took the better part of the summer and reconstruction is now underway. Our contractor, Arntz Builders, is working hard to meet the end-of-September completion date for this increment.

Most of Tam’s current construction will not impact staff or students directly, as the science and PE classes have been settled in portables since Spring. The science portable, which received new floors, lights and a fresh coat of paint during the summer, will be moved in and ready for opening day.

Drake’s Building 500 contractor, James Thompson Enterprises, will remain on site after school starts to finish up some critical construction. While not complete, the building will be “occupy-able” by August 20.

Our Increment 3 contractor, Vila Construction, is now on board and is first hooking up the temporary portables. Those of you who are starting the year in those portables might have no lights or computers for a day or two… but you will have doors, walls, and a dry roof over your heads!

Vila also has taken occupancy of Wing 300C, the old photo shop (400), and the area behind Devonshire and the theater. The two old portables in that area are gone – demolished in one day! Hazmat abatement and interior demolition has started in the other areas.

Redwood’s Buildings C and E (the shop and art/ceramics/music portables) will be ready for occupancy by start of school, but with some old windows, sinks (as applicable), and light fixtures. The restroom in Building C is also not completed. Redwood’s contractor, Arntz Builders (yes, same as Tam) will finish this work over the next several weeks but will not disrupt classes.

The locker rooms, counseling center and new science classrooms will be completed by the end of August. Meanwhile, PE classes will be use the weight room and training room as changing space. The Gym proper remains on schedule for completion in time for basketball season.

New modular buildings between the main building and the shop building will be craned (noisily) into space later this fall. The District Office is still without access on the south and west sides, and continued work in that area will also be noisy.

The removal of the berms surrounding Moody Field (scheduled to start right after Labor Day) will also be disruptive and noisy. Trucks will be hauling dirt (also noisily) through the West Parking Lot, requiring some changes to parking and traffic in that area. Stay tuned for details.

Again, welcome back!
V-Anne Chernock
Director of Facilities Modernization
924-7624

Home > Modernization > News Releases & Reports > 15-Aug-2003