Video: Schools Ready After $1.27 Million Of Work

August 24, 2013

The combined expenditure for school works this summer between the Ministries of Education and Public Works is approximately $1.27 million, Public Works Minister Trevor Moniz said.

“Every school has received some degree of work based on agreement between the Ministries of Education and Public Works based on proposals put forward by Principals,” said Minister Moniz.

“This work includes painting, replacing fixtures, replacing fencing, field upgrades, bathroom upgrades, driveway resurfacing and other minor works.”

All schools received touch-up paint work, and West Pembroke Primary, Heron Bay Primary, St. Georges Preschool, East End Primary and Prospect Primary schools were all painted throughout [internal and external].

Contractors who did the work include Team Six Maintenance, Just Roofs Plus. Jerry Smith and Family, Floyds Painting, Inside Out Painting, Daycor Painting Contractors, Tri Star as well as Works and Engineering teams.

Acting Minister of Education Dr. Grant Gibbons said, “The Ministry of Education began its recruitment process in November last year, some two months earlier than usual.

“The Ministry has over 900 school staff who serve in roles as general and subject matter teachers, principals, educational therapists, learning support teachers and special education teachers.

“As a result of resignations, retirements, and contract non-renewals, there were 75 posts that had to be filled for September. To date, 55 of the 75 posts have been filled.”

“Of those 20 vacant posts, we presently have 8 persons who will be on-Island and in place when school commences. 5 of the 12 remaining vacancies were the result of late resignations and/or late decisions on the individual’s part not to renew their contracts.

“This number changes almost daily as Principals make decisions out of interviews that will go on until posts are filled. The Ministry will work to ensure we have coverage or have permanent persons in place for any vacancies.”

Remarks by both Ministers follow below:

Remarks by Trevor Moniz, Minister of Public Works:

All schools will be ready for students on September 3rd.

Any major works not completed by today, will be completed before students enter school.

In addition to West Pembroke Primary, the following schools were painted throughout – (internal and external)

  • Heron Bay Primary,
  • St. Georges Preschool,
  • East End Primary and
  • Prospect Primary

All other schools received touch-up paint work. New bathrooms have been installed at this school.

Bathroom renovations are at various stages of completion at:

  • West End Primary
  • Paget Primary
  • Elliot Primary and
  • Prospect Primary

These will be completed for school opening

Every school has received some degree of work based on agreement between the Ministries of Education and Public Works based on proposals put forward by Principals. This work includes painting, replacing fixtures, replacing fencing, field upgrades, bathroom upgrades, driveway resurfacing and other minor works.

The combined expenditure for school works this summer between the Ministries of Education and Public Works is approximately $1.27M.

The bulk of works is complete and buildings have been turned over to the Custodians who are busy with heavy cleaning and waxing of floors.

In some schools:

  • Prospect Primary,
  • Heron Bay,
  • Paget Primary and
  • West Pembroke

Work will continue up to the opening of school. Meetings will be held with Principals so that they know our exact timeline for completion.

In a few cases:

  • Port Royal Primary, where we must complete work to the music room roof,
  • East End Primary Field, which is a Parks Department project, but will need the month of September for the grass to knit properly
  • TN Tatem Middle School Auditorium where air conditioning units are anticipated to arrive next week,
  • Dellwood Middle School, where the work on the wall on Angle Street will commence and
  • West End Primary, where and electrical upgrade is due,

Work will continue after school opens. However, steps are being taken to ensure that this work will not interrupt the flow of students and staff and not disrupt learning.

Thanks to the Public Works staff, Education staff and all of our contractors for the work they have accomplished in the small window we have between the closing of school and the opening of school in September.

Contractors include:

  • Team Six Maintenance
  • Just Roofs Plus
  • Jerry Smith and Family
  • Floyds Painting
  • Inside Out Painting
  • Daycor Painting Contractors
  • Tri Star
  • Works and Engineering teams

Remarks by Dr. Grant Gibbons, Acting Minister of Education:

The Ministry of Education began its recruitment process in November last year, some two months earlier than usual.

The Ministry has over 900 school staff who serve in roles as general and subject matter teachers, principals, educational therapists, learning support teachers and special education teachers.

As a result of resignations, retirements, and contract non-renewals, there were 75 posts that had to be filled for September.

To date, 55 of the 75 posts have been filled.

The 20 remaining vacancies break down as following:

  • Preschool – 1 vacancy
  • Primary – 2 vacancies
  • Middle School – 8 vacancies
  • Senior School – 9 vacancies

Of those 20 vacant posts, we presently have 8 persons who will be on-Island and in place when school commences.

5 of the 12 remaining vacancies were the result of late resignations and/or late decisions on the individual’s part not to renew their contracts.

This number changes almost daily as Principals make decisions out of interviews that will go on until posts are filled.

The Ministry will work to ensure we have coverage or have permanent persons in place for any vacancies.

-

Photos below from West Pembroke, click to enlarge:

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Comments (9)

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  1. 1minute says:

    Have they fixed the wall/road problem at Dellwood or are they waiting for a child to get injured or killed?

    • Time Shall Tell says:

      Agreed, there’s no way would that situation be outstanding for so long had it been near certain other schools. While on that, what about the road repairs for Palmetto Road or the Parsons Road park (many other parks as well).

    • Listen says:

      If you listened you would know it’s not fixed yet….and “they” involve the corporation of Hamilton, write to them if you really want to know.

    • abc says:

      so tru thier priotys is blah blah and not safety oba whats de change lmao

      FIX DAT WALL u gonna wait till a child is injured u nasty people

  2. Mazumbo says:

    This aint no news they do this every year. Reinventing de wheel. LMAO

  3. Tolerate says:

    @abc, what???? Hell really?

  4. Tolerate says:

    Thanks @Listen, it least you’re not a blind @$$ spouting $h!t…. Hey, OBA I knocked down my wall backing in my gate…. What de Hell: come fix it????

    • Time Shall Tell says:

      If it effects public property & public safety then yes, didn’t the OBA take credit for doing the same thing on south sure near Collectors Hill gas station?

  5. abc says:

    i could care less oba coporation MONEY IS AN ISSUE WEN ITS CHILD SAFETY

    DE MORE U BLAH UR MOUTHS DE WORST IT GET SO …………………
    FIX DE WAL;L
    PLAIN AND SIMPLE DONT GIVE ME BULLS*** BOUT WHOS JOB IT IS
    sorry for caps some mules dont listen till a little exposer set in