Window Replacements at Spring Street School Face Delays

will open with windows in classrooms despite a delay caused by manufacturers in the installation project, said Bob Cox, director of public buildings in Shrewsbury.

The lag is caused by a shipment delay from manufacturers, Cox said, adding that his office expects the shipment this week, and they hope to “make it usable” by August 17. By then all the windows should be in the classrooms, though some of the accessories to the new panes will still need work once school starts.

Once students begin classes, the construction will move into “stealth mode,” Cox said, so as not disturb classes. In addition, windows may still need to be installed in the administrative areas, he said.

Despite the delay, the manufacturers have assured the project team that they are putting all efforts into expediting the order, Cox said. The most important thing is to “just get it done,” he said.

The manufacturer of the windows, Graham Architectural Products, is facing a lot of orders and has been “just unable to meet commitments,” Cox said. Some of the added orders are coming from other projects like the Spring Street School Installation, which are part of the Green Repair Program offered by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, he said.

The Green Repair Program is a state program that allows for extensive repair and renovation work on Massachusetts schools, according to the website. Promoting repairs that increase efficiency and sustainability, the GRP gave the Spring Street School a grant to complete the window installation and took more than 50 percent of the cost.

Windows at the school were mostly old and leaked in heavy rain, Cox said, adding that “the timing was great for Shrewsbury,” for this repair. The cost for the repair is around $542,300, he said.