Submitted by Paul Pugliese
I am writing to express my interest in seeing the Old Greenwich School, preserved and renovated as soon as prudently possible. I attended Old Greenwich school more than a half a century ago, as did my wife and our children.
Periodic renovation is a necessary part of a normal preservation process.
The school is an iconic part of Old Greenwich’ history and identity, the consideration of demolishing it would be irresponsible stewardship for future generations.
This is not about partisan politics or election year rhetoric. All of he questions must be asked and answered, the planning, the drawings and cost estimates must be accurate and complete in order to have a clear picture of the costs and time schedule, and also to avoid liability for the taxpayers of Greenwich. Anyone who has completed a construction project, and all architects will tell you, that incomplete specifications and documentation exposes the client to excessive time and cost overruns. This includes the programming and Ed specs, which also need to be complete and accurate.
The last major attempt to fast track a major school project, was Hamilton Avenue School. That school was originally slated to be demolished (until community uproar and preservation advocates saved it). The drawings were incomplete, the construction bid was based on incomplete drawings and the contractor took advantage of an opportunity for extras. The project took longer, cost more and ended in costly litigation. Getting this process right will result in the best possible outcome for our children and our community and insure that the school will endure for another 100 years of useful life.
The OGS project is long overdue, and there is a heightened sense of urgency, but it is not the building that determines whether our children receive a quality education. I am frankly disappointed with anyone on the Board of Education who is advocating to circumvent any part of a sensible process in order to play to the understandably frustrated parents.
Casting blame on those who ask questions, or advocating for funding based on incomplete answers, has no part in this process. We need to come together as a unified community, take the path that achieves the best results, and stop the partisan divisiveness.
Thank you to all of the volunteers and stakeholders who are working toward this goal.
Paul Pugliese
Go Dolphins