Another Round Of Supply Chain Woes For Vernon School Projects

VERNON, CT — With one major school capital project finally getting under way in Vernon, supply chain woes have led to some consternation with another.

One of the five ongoing projects this summer at Vernon school facilities is the renovation of the science labs at Rockville High School. Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said the labs have had the same decor since the 1980s and it's time to modernize them.

One problem is it will not be exactly completed by the start of school. An exhaust fan was ordered in March and school officials were recently told it would not arrive until December.

"We do have an alternate solution," Macary said.

That's keeping the old one, he said.

"It's another example of the issues we're having with the supply chain," Macary said. "We'll deal with it when the new fan comes in."

The situation at Rockville High School comes on the heels of the roof project at Center Road School finally beginning after about a year's delay. The materials came in last year too late to finish it in time fo the start of the past school year, so the materials sat in the overflow lot at Vernon Center Middle School. The project is on track to be completed before school starts, Macary said.

Also on tap for this summer is a project to renovate rooms at Vernon Center Middle School School from a Sykes Foundation grant. One target is the wood shop, Macary said, updates to which have been "a long time" coming, Macary said.

A project to build a special needs athletic field at Northeast school has also started. It will be the regional home of the Miracle League of Northern Connecticut.

A district facilities study is also on the agenda for this summer, Macary said.

"We will be monitoring projects closely throughout the summer," Macary said.