Open Houses Set for Renovated Schools

Open houses at the three elementary schools undergoing renovations are expected to take place after the renovations are complete in mid-September.

SAU 57 Superintendent Michael Delahanty told the School Board Tuesday night the idea behind the open houses is to allow the public to see "what their money has bought" at Barron, Lancaster and North Salem Schools.

Delahanty said each of the schools will be holding a back-to-school night for parents and children so they can get oriented with the new layouts at each school.

"We also want the general public to see what the schools are going to look like," Delahanty said.

The Lancaster open house is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 16 with Barron and North Salem taking place the next day. Delahanty said Barron's open house will be in the morning with North Salem in the afternoon.

Delahanty said one scheduling conflict is that the open houses on the 17th will interfere with Salem Fest, which is scheduled for that day. Delahanty said people will be "encouraged" to participate in both the open houses and Salem Fest in the school's marketing of the events.

"Hopefully we will inspire confidence in the general public that will lead them to support the next phase of our renovation project," Delahanty said.

The current renovation projects have a price tag of $22 million and the School Board was told Tuesday night that all the locations are on schedule for completion by the expected date of Aug. 15.

Voters are expected to weigh renovations projects at the other three elementary schools (Fisk, Haigh and Soule) next year.