Published in the August 27, 2015 edition
By BOB TUROSZ
NORTH READING —The North Reading Middle School project achieved another milestone this week.
Superintendent of Schools Jon Bernard announced this week architect Dore and Whittier issued the certificate for substantial completion for “NRMS 2.0” on Monday. On Tuesday, the building inspector issued an occupancy permit to the town.
“I am extremely pleased with the level of cooperation from town departments and the principles of the project,” Bernard told the Transcript on Tuesday afternoon. “The middle school has really come out beautiful and the entire grade 6–12 campus is a great source of pride for the entire community.”
With the occupancy permit issued, Bernard said the school department will begin undertaking its last move into the totally rebuilt middle school. He informed the School Committee on Monday the move began taking place last week, as items stored in the Main Street corridor were relocated.
Bernard anticipated the central office will begin moving out of the high school’s media center on Thursday, Aug. 27. He said the central office move will take place in a “phased way,” beginning with the Pupil Personnel Services office on Thursday and the business office on Friday. The assistant superintendent and superintendent office move will take place on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1.
“If all goes according to plan, we are targeting Sept. 1 or so to be in our new home,” said Bernard. “We are all excited about not having to pack and move anymore.”
School Committee Vice Chairman Mel Webster asked Bernard if furniture deliveries have begun taking place.
Bernard said furniture delivery has gone very well. He said furniture started being delivered around Aug. 13. He said there been heavy loads delivered on certain days, while there have been other days where one specific item such as desks have been delivered. He also noted middle school furniture that was purchased last year along with high school furniture has been taken out of storage.
“We are still waiting for furniture, but all indications are we should have everything we need by the end of this week,” Bernard said.
Additionally, middle school teachers along with teachers in the town’s other four schools will begin setting up their classrooms on Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Bernard also noted he gave a tour of the renovated NRMS to retired Middle School Principal John Faucher on Tuesday. Bernard said Faucher was very impressed by NRMS 2.0.
NRMS tours
Similar to when the new North Reading High School opened last fall, the school department has scheduled open houses for NRMS for Wednesday, Sept. 2. The sixth grade open house will take place from 9 a.m.–11 a.m. The seventh and eighth grade open house will take place from 12 noon – 2 p.m.
The first day of school for students in grades 1–12 will be on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The first day of school for preschool and kindergarten students will be on Friday, Sept. 11.
The school department has scheduled a community open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for NRMS 2.0, which will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
