Employees of Dalene Flooring work on the gymnasium floor at GHS the second week of school. Sept 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
When students returned to Greenwich High School a few weeks ago, they were surprised to see there was no floor in the gymnasium. No bleachers either.
A peer mentor leading a tour for new freshmen opened the gym door, got an eye full, and steered the newbies in the other direction.
Turnover in Greenwich Schools Administration
Greenwich Schools facilities director Ron Matten departed Greenwich on July 31. He was responsible for overseeing facilities, custodial and maintenance operations.
Just before Mr. Matten left, he celebrated the Greenwich Athletic Foundation’s gift of $110,000 for new gym bleachers, a generous gift for the long overdue replacement the outmoded, uncomfortable wooden stands.
Matten who held the job in Greenwich for five years, took a job with Hunter College in New York.
Before Mr. Matten’s departure, the district’s managing director of operations Jim Hricay, hired in 2015 by former superintendent McKersie, gave notice in May that he had accepted a position with the Pelham Union Free School District, in New York effective July 1, 2017.
Vendor Walks Away, New Vendor Hired
Over the summer, the company selected to replace the gym floor, Rainbow Floors, walked away.
GHS headmaster, Dr. Chris Winters said in an email that the floor replacement was to have been completed by the end of summer. “Demolition began, and once the floor was removed, the vendor did not return,” he said.
The headmaster said the district contracted with a second vendor, Dalene Flooring, who immediately began the process of completing the floor in the most timely way possible.
Right now the work is being done by the second and only other bidder on the job, Dalene Flooring.
Gymnasium Floor Replacement bids for Greenwich High School. June 2017
With November 1st as the anticipated completion date for the flooring project, Winters said the new bleachers will be installed roughly two weeks after the successful installation of the floor.
Rich Fulton of the Greenwich Athletic Foundation was sympathetic.
“These things take time,” Fulton said. “We look forward to seeing the installation of the state-of-the-art bleachers donated from the GAF. It’s unfortunate the floors were not ready for the start of the school year, but we are confident that they will be done expeditiously.”
Board of Education member Laura Erickson said that managing all the summer work is always “a heavy lift” and that with the departure of both Mr. Hricay and Mr. Matten, the director of human resources Bob Stacey filled in. (Mr. Stacey came on board in 2015 to replace Robert Lichtenfeld who retired.)
“Bob Stacey really did a yeoman’s job,” she said. Not only was the district busy all summer with the hiring process, but the new superintendent Dr. Jill Gildea started on July 1.
“It is really unfortunate the timing slipped on the project but I am glad we are getting it done instead of waiting until next summer,” Erickson said. “I hope the fall teams are being accommodated appropriately and as best as possible with all the games and practices that need to be scheduled.”
As long as the weather holds out, high school gym classes can take place outdoors.
If the school does indeed have use of the gymnasium by Nov 1, that would be just in time for the start of basketball season, which has a spirited fan base and draws large crowds to fill the bleachers.
GHS volleyball teams who also rely on use of the gym, are making Eastern Middle School their home this season. The GHS cheerleaders are practicing at Western Middle School. Workarounds are in place.
In the meantime, last week Greenwich Schools announced that Daniel Watson would start on October 2, 2017 as the district’s new Facilities Director.
In August, Dr Gildea hired Chief Operation Officer Lorianne (Lori) O’Donnell to assume Mr. Hricay’s position.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Employees of Dalene Flooring work on the gymnasium floor at GHS the second week of school. Sept 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
The raw gymnasium floor where bleachers paid for by the GAF will be installed about two weeks after the new gym floor is in place. Photo: Leslie Yager
See also:
Key Member of Greenwich Public Schools Administration to Depart
Greenwich Schools Facilities Director Ron Matten Resigns
Director of School Facilities Daniel Watson Appointed for Greenwich Schools
Greenwich Schools Superintendent Gildea Appoints Lorianne O’Donnell Chief Operating Officer