SNAFU AT THE SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE MEETING

The Little Compton School Building Committee met on Monday November 15th for a review of what can best be referred to as “loose ends.” Here’s the story behind the story.
The Building Committee somehow got the ok from RIDE to submit the Stage II Application with some strings attached. This all came about because the documentation was not complete. There were some issues, yet to be defined that were holding up the process and threatening to jeopardize the drop dead submission date of November 19th.

A sub committee was created last week to address the loose ends. At Monday’s meeting the sub-committee was supposed to update the rest of the Building Committee on their progress. They had nothing to report.

Then the meeting went on too a general discussion on the overall project. That is when the wheels started to come off the meeting. There are several members who do not think that adequate consideration was given to alternative plans. In other words, fix problems rather than build a virtual new school. Talk about a day late and a dollar short.

Earlier estimates for repairs by The Mount Vernon Group & RGB Architects were kicked around from pillar to post. It was even suggested that there be yet another analysis of a “fix it” solution, possibly by the present architectural firm of Durkee Brown (DB). That suggestion was shot down because it was evident that most thought that DB could not be impartial. One member attempted to make a motion that the Committee take steps to bring about another survey. The chairman would not allow a motion for parliamentarian reasons.

Members of the public spoke up criticizing the fact that the School Department had no back-up plan or a “Plan B” should the present recommendations not pass muster with the voters. It looks like the committee is going to place all of their bets on RIDE approving the present plan and let the chips fall where they may when it comes tome for the voters to have their say.

Sarge