Several Scituate Public Schools have undergone renovations during the last two years.
Five years ago, when William Burkhead was hired as the superintendent, the schools did not have a capital or operational budget plan. “We invested right away in the budget process,” commented Burkhead.
The capital plan for SPS includes significant changes, and “every objective goes through a town meeting and the community,” Burkhead stated. The operational plan focuses on smaller concerns, ranging from day-to-day issues to operational fixes and cosmetic upgrades.
Last year, SPS was granted $250,000 to put in its operational budget. Approximately $150,000 of it has been invested in the high school alone. But wanting to “develop all schools” has been Burkhead’s top priority for both plans, as “keeping up with the buildings is very important,” he commented.
Recent projects at the high school include the following:
- renovated girls’ locker room
- floor replacements (teachers’ workroom, cafeteria, main office entryway, and main gym entryway).
- advanced, energy-efficient lighting throughout the building
- “Home of the Sailors” lighted sign installed
- new gym class locker rooms for boys and girls
- renovated boys’ team locker room (underway)
Recent projects to Wampatuck and Jenkins Elementary include the following:
- new portico (Wampatuck)
- renovated parking lot (Wampatuck)
- renovated library (Wampatuck)
- new playground (Jenkins)
- new roof (Jenkins)
Next year, new windows will be installed at Jenkins Elementary School, and revamped classrooms and restrooms are anticipated at Wampatuck Elementary School. As for renovations further down the road, a few main capital projects are being considered at the high school: Both the SHS small and big gyms are on the agenda, including new flooring; air conditioning is also being discussed.
Many community members are looking forward to the new Hatherly-Cushing Elementary School, which will replace the current Hatherly Elementary School and Cushing Elementary School. When Burkhead came to Scituate, this master project was already underway. Scituate went through a Statement of Interest (SOI) through the state of Massachusetts. In Burkhead’s first year in Scituate (2021-22), the project was denied, so the town did not get reimbursement from the state to follow through with the plan. During Burkhead’s second year (2022-23), the Scituate project was accepted by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), which means Scituate will be reimbursed 40% of the total cost—about 28% overall.
However, there has not been a shovel in the ground next to Hatherly Elementary (where the new school will be located). Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2025, and the doors should open in the fall of 2027. “The whole goal, my responsibility, is to keep this thing on time and under budget,” Burkhead stated.
Some fascinating features of the new elementary school include two courtyards, with the younger and older students each having one. This elementary school is anticipated to have more “flow,” where the hallways function as student learning spaces. There will be tables and chairs out in the hallway for students to work and additional spaces connected to classrooms where students can collaborate in small groups. Various playgrounds for student and community use are also included in the plans. “There’s something for everybody,” commented Burkhead.
For additional details regarding the new elementary school, go to scit.org.