North Shore begins summer construction projects

With shovels in hand, members of the North Shore Board of Education, administration and the sixth grade class of 2021 attended a groundbreaking ceremony at North Shore Middle School on Friday, June 18, marking the beginning of summer construction projects for the district.

The groundbreaking kicked-off phase one of the capital projects that were approved by the North Shore community as part of the bond in 2019. Phase one began on Monday, June 28, and will be completed in time for the start of the new school year in September.

“I want to sincerely thank the North Shore community for coming together to pass the proposed Bond Referendum in 2019,” Superintendent Dr. Peter Giarrizzo said. “Our schools are the cornerstone of our community and we are dedicated to not only preserving them but making them even stronger for the children we all share. We are all excited to begin and watch the transformation take place that will benefit our students today and in the future.”

The $39.9 million bond is broken into five categories: instruction, infrastructure, safety and security, air conditioning and site work. Instructional needs, which include new science labs and corridors, and infrastructure account for most of the spending, totaling $19.3 million and $13.6 million, respectively.

The major projects that are slated for this summer at North Shore Middle School include the following: renovation to both boys and girls locker rooms, renovation to the music wing, conversion of the existing stage into a music ensemble room, restoration of faulty bathrooms, renovation to the science room, renovation to the library including air conditioning and upgrades to the public address system, the lock system and the security infrastructure.

“It is exciting to think that our school will look completely different in a few short months,” North Shore Middle School Principal Rob Dennis said. “Our school has always been an exemplary middle school, and this architectural work will capture the essence of our building and highlight the innovation and collaboration of our student body and staff.”

Next summer, phase two of the capital projects at the middle school will begin and be completed by September 2022. The construction projects during Phase II the include following; relocation and renovation of the FACS room, creation of a guidance suite in the current location of the main office, relocation of the main office into the new additions, construction of a new common gathering space, construction of many new classrooms and renovation to bathrooms throughout the building.