Groton Schools To Decide Where To Locate Middle School Programs

Groton school administrators and principals meet today to talk about where to locate programs in and middle schools after closes.

Wes Greenleaf, director of buildings and grounds for the public schools, said the department will likely need new portables for Cutler and West Side, although a final decision hasn’t been made.

He said moving old portables - built in 1972 and 1992 - from probably will not save money because of their condition. New portables cost about $730,000 for four classrooms. Groton would be eligible for 57 percent reimbursement from the state.

The school department will also relocate or put up walls to create more classrooms inside the buildings.

“In terms of construction inside, we want to get started in certain areas before the school year ends,” Greenleaf said.

The and to keep Cutler and West Side open. Fitch Middle would close, but the building would be used as swing space during construction at other schools.

Superintendent . Redistricting has started but is not completed.

Greenleaf said school officials met with the Groton City building official and fire marshal about two weeks ago and the city planning official last week to talk about portables at West Side.

Today’s meeting will determine and finalize which programs will fit into each of the two middle schools next year and how many spaces are needed.

This is what happens next:

- The school department draws up plans for the portable classrooms and work inside and .

- School officials apply for permits from the Groton City Planning Commission, Inland Wetlands Commission and Coastal Management for portables at West Side.

- The school department asks the town for a supplemental appropriation to cover the costs; Greenleaf said it does not have an estimate yet.

- The department applies to the state for grants for the portables (the supplemental appropriation must be approved first.)

- Once permits and money are approved, construction starts.