Stoklosa School Fiasco

Some disturbing news about the under-construction Stoklosa School was disclosed at Wednesday’s school committee meeting. When the cost estimate of the initial design of the school was calculated about two years ago, it was about $1.2 more than the amount of money budgeted. All parties agreed to work together to try to save that amount of money before going back to the city council with a request for more money (of course, 90% of any money spent on this project will be reimbursed by the state). Many months ago, the architect suggested eliminating an entire wing of the building as a cost savings measure. That would save the needed money but would also eliminate three classrooms. Considering those classrooms vitally important, the school department representatives to the building committee said no to that suggestion. When the foundation for the building was poured, the school department representatives saw that the foundation for this disputed wing was not there. They asked those responsible about it and were told, don’t worry, it will be there. Now we learn that the wing is not there, that if it is to be built it will cost an additional $500,000 and will delay the project which is already a year behind of schedule. This whole thing stinks. The school committee has to get to the bottom of this. Who decided to eliminate part of the building? Who knew about it? Why wasn’t anyone in the school department informed of this?