$85 Million In Milford School Upgrades, Renovations Identified

MILFORD, CT — The Board of Education identified nearly $85 million worth of capital projects it would like to undertake over the next five years, according to documents from the Board of Education.

It must be stressed that the five-year capital improvement plan doesn't actually guarantee the projects will be completed or that the city of Milford will bond the dollars for the specific projects.

The capital plan is more of a planning tool and many projects are subject to reimbursement from the state of Connecticut.

Some priorities over the next five years as reported by the New Haven Register include: $3.5 million for a roof replacement at Joseph A. Foran High, $15 million for a renovation project at Live Oaks School, $23 million for renovations at Haborside Middle School, funds for athletic facility upgrades at Foran and Jonathan Law high schools, and a combined $4 million for central air conditioning.>>>Read More at the NHRegister.

Via the Milford Board of Education, here is an explanation of each project in the five-year capital improvement plan:

1. Joseph A. Foran High School – Partial Roof Replacement
Project: Foran High School was constructed in sections and the roofs on each section have been replaced at various times over the past 40+ years. There are sections of the roof totaling approximately 125,000 square feet that are due to be replaced. These roofs were installed well over twenty years ago and are out of warranty. They are deteriorating and need to be replaced to protect the integrity of the school building both structurally and with respect to air quality.
Joseph A. Foran High School 2021-2022

2. Miscellaneous Improvements - HVAC / Ventilation / Boilers / Masonry, etc.
Project: This will be an on-going multi-phased program to replace the mechanical systems in our schools as they reach the end of their useful life cycle. This will include HVAC, unit ventilators, roof top exhaust units, boilers and repointing masonry in chimney areas. Especially coming out of the pandemic, it is imperative that we properly care for the equipment that affects indoor air quality. Proper replacement of this equipment on a planned schedule will ensure that our school buildings remain safe and conducive to learning.
Various Schools 2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
2024-2025
2025-2026

3. Orchard Hills Elementary School - Traffic Safety Improvements
Project: Especially with the increase of parents driving their students to school, Orchard Hills is extremely congested at arrival and dismissal and has been identified as a priority for improvements similar to those done at Live Oaks, Meadowside and JFK. The Orchard Hills project may be more complex because of the small footprint of the property and the slope that it is on. A traffic engineer will be hired to design the most effective strategy to improve the flow of traffic and ensure the safety of students, staff and others entering the property. The project may also include the relocation/replacement of playscapes and other amenities. Orchard Hills Elementary School 2021-2022

4. Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School - Additions/Alterations/Renovations/Security Upgrades
Project: As identified by the Long Range Planning Study, Calf Pen Meadow has not had any major renovations since it was built in 1955. A Media Center will be constructed similar to those in our other elementary school buildings. The existing media space will be converted to two classrooms. Other general alterations, upgrades and code compliance as well as traffic safety improvements will be undertaken. Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School 2021-2022 (A&E Fees only) 2022-2023 (construction)

5. Jonathan Law High School - Child Learning Center Program Space
Project: The district proposes to create space at Jonathan Law that will be used to mirror the Foran Child Learning Center. The center provides a child-care and Pre-K opportunity for students who may be interested in exploring this or related career fields. The program operates under the direction of a certified teacher and other adult teacher assistants as needed. Students in advanced Child Development courses work in small groups to assist the teachers.

The programs provide the students with valuable early childhood care and education creating another possible career pathway. The center is open to families in the district on a tuition basis. It also offers additional Pre-K and day care needs of the families in our community. Jonathan Law High School 2021-2022

6. Joseph A. Foran & Jonathan Law High Schools - Athletic Facility Improvement / Upgrades
Project: There have been significant improvements and upgrades to the high school athletic facilities over the past several years. However there are still projects that need to be undertaken such as the replacement of the track and field facilities at both schools. They are well past their life expectancy and need to be replaced to ensure the safety of our athletes and the community members who use the facilities. J. A. Foran & J. Law High Schools 2021-2022

7. Exterior Improvements - Playgrounds & Playing Fields - Repair and Replacement
Project: This will be an ongoing multi-phased effort to repair, improve and replace the existing play areas which have not had any significant work done to them in many years. Playgrounds and Playscapes will be updated, repaired and replaced as needed and additional handicap accessible features will be added.

Various Schools: 2021-2022
2022-2023
2023-2024
2024-2025
2025-2026

8. Asbestos Abatement / Tile Replacement / Tunnels, Pipes, Insulation
Project: Though posing no health risk while encapsulated, this is part of an ongoing multi-phased project to remove asbestos and any other hazardous materials including PCBs from all schools in our district and replace the floor and ceiling tiles as well as from around the utility tunnels including, replacement of pipes, fittings, and insulation. Various Schools 2021-2022, 2025-2026

9. Live Oaks Elementary School - Additions/Alterations/Renovations/Security Upgrades
Project: As identified by the Long Range Planning Study, Live Oaks School has not had any major renovations since the school was built in 1961. A Media Center will be constructed similar to those in our other elementary school buildings. The existing media space will be converted to two classrooms. Other general alterations, upgrades and code compliance will be undertaken. Live Oaks Elementary School 2022-2023 (A&E Fees only), 2023-2024 (construction)

10. Orchard Hills Elementary School - Partial Roof Replacement
Project: The roof over the 2003 addition at Orchard Hills, specifically over the media center and art room, totaling approximately 5,500 square feet, will be due to be replaced in 2023. At that time, they will be 20 years old and out of warranty. It is the practice of Milford Public Schools to stay out in front of any potential issues that could jeopardize the integrity of the building both structurally and with respect to air quality and therefore, planning for its replacement is prudent. Orchard Hills Elementary School 2022-2023

11. Joseph A. Foran & Jonathan Law High Schools - Culinary Program Space and Equipment
Project: The district currently offers culinary courses for students but we lack a true professional learning environment for these courses. The creation of a dedicated space and the proper equipment for a commercial kitchen at each high school will enrich the student’s experience and increase opportunities for another career pathway. J. A. Foran & J. Law High Schools 2022-2023

12. Harborside Middle School - Addition/Alterations/Renovations/Upgrades
Project: Harborside was converted from an elementary school to a middle school in 1994. The current media center and cafeteria were added in 1998 but there have not been any major renovations since then. Like the projects at East Shore and West Shore, this project will include the addition of dedicated art and music areas, science labs and an updated tech-ed area. All lavatories will be upgraded or replaced and the front lobby and stairwells given a face-lift. Significant work will be done to renovate the basement which is used as program space. Other general alterations, upgrades and code compliance will be undertaken. Harborside Middle School 2023-2024 (A&E Fees only), 2024-2025 (construction)

13. Partial Roof Replacements
Project: Most of the roofs on our schools have been replaced over the past five years. However, there are small sections of roof throughout the district that were done at other times. As these sections reach the end of their useful life expectancy and go out of warranty, they need to be replaced. It is the practice of Milford Public Schools to stay out in front of any potential issues that could jeopardize the integrity of the building both structurally and with respect to air quality and therefore, planning for its replacement is prudent. Various Schools 2023-2024, 2024-2025

14. Joseph A. Foran & Jonathan Law High Schools - Athletic Fields - Artificial Turf Replacement
Project: Our main athletic fields at both high schools have artificial turf which is low maintenance, extends the time that fields are available for play and are generally preferable for the amount of ware and tare that they get. The fields are used by our high school teams, youth and adult sports leagues as well as by the community at-large. The useful life expectancy for the turf on these fields is 10-12 years. They were last replaced in 2013-2014 and will need to be replaced to ensure the safety of all who use the fields. J. A. Foran & J. Law High Schools 2025-2026

15. Eels Hill - Demolish Existing Buildings and Replace with Pre-Fab Storage Facility
Project: The current buildings are completely deteriorated and are no longer usable. A new low energy/low maintenance storage facility will allow us to buy in bulk and store products in a secure and clean area. Eels Hill Storage Facility 2025-2026

REQUESTED SCHOOL PROJECT COSTS

2021-2022 Joseph A. Foran High School Partial Roof Replacement 3,500,000
Various Schools Misc. Improvements - HVAC/Ventillation/Boilers/Masonry 1,000,000
Orchard Hills Elementary School Traffic Flow and Safety Improvements 1,800,000
Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School A&E Fees only - Add./Alt./Renov./General Improvements 1,000,000
Jonathan Law High School Child Learning Center Program Space 1,000,000
J. Law & Foran High Schools Athletic Facility Improvements/Upgrades 4,000,000
Various Schools Playgrounds & Playing Fields - Repair and Replacement 500,000
Various Schools Asbestos Abatement/Tile Replacement/Tunnel, Pipe, Insulation 1,000,000

2022-2023 Calf Pen Meadow Elementary School Addition/Alterations/Renovations/General Improvements 14,000,000
Live Oaks Elementary School A&E Fees only - Add./Alt./Renov./General Improvements 1,000,000
Various Schools Misc. Improvements - HVAC/Ventillation/Boilers/Masonry 1,000,000
Orchard Hills Elementary School Partial Roof Replacement 500,000
J. Law & Foran High Schools Culinary Program Space/Equipment 2,000,000
Various Schools Playgrounds & Playing Fields - Repair and Replacement 500,000

2023-2024 Live Oaks Elementary School Addition/Alterations/Renovations/General Improvements 15,000,000
Various Schools Misc. Improvements - HVAC/Ventillation/Boilers/Masonry 1,000,000
Harborside Middle School A&E Fees only - Addition/Alterations/Renovations/Upgrades 2,000,000
Various Schools Partial Roof Replacement 500,000
Various Schools Playgrounds & Playing Fields - Repair and Replacement 500,000

2024-2025 Harborside Middle School Addition/Alterations/Renovations/General Improvements 23,000,000
Various Schools Misc. Improvements - HVAC/Ventillation/Boilers/Masonry 1,000,000
Various Schools Partial Roof Replacement 500,000
Various Schools Playgrounds & Playing Fields - Repair and Replacement 500,000

2025-2026 J. Law & Foran High Schools Athletic Fields - Artificial Turf Replacement 4,000,000
Various Schools Misc. Improvements - HVAC/Ventillation/Boilers/Masonry 1,000,000
Various Schools Asbestos Abatement/Tile Replacement/Tunnel, Pipe, Insulation 1,000,000
Various Schools Playgrounds & Playing Fields - Repair and Replacement 1,000,000
Eels Hill Complex Steel Storage Building 950,000