PT Superintendent reviews ‘Coffee Chats’

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While citizens often criticize school or government officials for their lack of receptiveness, they don’t always take advantage of opportunities to offer feedback.

The fifth “Coffee Chat with the Superintendent” of the year on March 22 allowed Port Townsend School District Superintendent John Polm to review how the outreach has been going so far, and to update the public on recent on-campus developments at Port Townsend High School.

Polm estimated the coffee chats have drawn an average of two attendees per meeting, at the Gael Stuart building just down the hill from the high school, which has prompted him to consider more topically focused meetings, rather than the open forum of the coffee chats.

“Our school board used to conduct listening sessions off-site, at locations such as the libraries,” Polm said. “Specific issues tend to get people engaged. Some of our board’s listening sessions touched upon the Salish Coast Elementary construction design and garden program.”

Sarah Rubenstein, communications director for the school district, noted that the district has also invited community members to tours of school facilities, but she still sees value in the more open-ended coffee chats.

“Voters want to know they have access to the superintendent,” Rubenstein said.

One specific issue that Polm and Rubenstein were able to offer updates on was the construction of elevators on the main and annex buildings at the PTHS campus, which began March 11.

“Almost all of our demolition has been completed since then,” Polm said. “The porch facade of the main building has been torn down, and we’ve moved the entry point away from the sidewalk leading into the annex.”

Polm explained that soil testing needs to be conducted, as construction crews dig elevator pits, to determine whether pin piles need to be installed before concrete is poured.

“We’ve also got fiber running through all these areas, so we want to make sure we’re not accidentally disconnecting our internet services,” Polm said.

Rubenstein described the high school’s teachers as “very patient” during the loud noise that filled the early weeks of construction, as Polm predicted that most of the louder noise had wrapped up.

“Although the sites are hurricane-fenced off, you can see the work they’re doing pretty closely,” Polm said. “The demolition on the main and annex buildings happened more or less simultaneously, although it took less time on the annex.”

Polm cautioned that the construction process still includes some unknowns, as construction crews work underground, but he expressed confidence in Merit Construction Northwest.

“They’re very experienced, especially in working with older buildings,” Polm said.

Polm explained the elevators’ estimated construction costs were set at $1.73 million when the school district went to bid, whereas the projected costs now stand at $2.36 million for both elevators.

“Unfortunately, construction costs continue to be high,” Polm said. “However, we feel this project is important, in order to ensure access to the high school buildings for all of our students, staff and community.”

Polm anticipates construction completing within 180 days, or just as school is starting in the fall.

“So far, we’re on schedule for work to continue through the summer and wrap up this September, the day after Labor Day,” Polm said.

Rubenstein pointed out that the elevators will finally allow those with wheelchairs or walkers to access every classroom at the high school, to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and will also make the facilities fully accessible to the public for community events.