Study Recommended Expanding Andrew Warde High School to Meet Secondary Classroom Needs According to Newspaper Story 42 Years Ago Today

A year-long study resulted in a recommendation to construct an addition to Andrew Warde High School as the most economical method of meeting future secondary classroom needs in the school system, according to a story which appeared on this date, January 25, 1968.

The recommendation was made Wednesday evening, January 24, 1968, by the Fairfield Woods school building committee following a study with the architectural firm of Lyons and Mather on the most feasible way of providing the additional classroom space. The addition ultimately became the two-story, air-conditioned Fitts House.

Dr. Robert F. Pitt, chairman, said the study disclosed that providing two additional houses at Warde would cost considerably less than building a third high school or expanding junior high school facilities, under which the junior high would accomodate grades seven through nine.

The total cost of the addition to the high school was estimated at $3,048,800. The cost of a new four-year high school was estimated at $6,530,000, but additional costs for needed specialized facilities at Warde would increase the price by $889,200.

The three-year junior high school proposal involved a total cost of $7,368,240. This was broken down as follows: $1,230,800 to convert McKinley School into a junior high; $3,699,440 for the construction of a new junior high; $500,000 for the construction of 12 elementary classrooms to replace facilities which would be taken for the McKinley conversion; $979,200 for specialized facilities at Warde; and $958,000 for specialized facilities at Ludlowe.

The operating capacity at Warde would be increased to 2,175 students, and at Ludlowe to 2,000. At the time, the enrollment in the two high schools was about 3,200.

Provided at Warde would be 24 classrooms, two commons rooms, a library, a faculty resource center, physical education area, industrial arts laboratories, science lecture and vocal music classrooms, additional house offices, additional cafeteria space, and interior alterations.

The Lyons and Mather firm said that while the addition will cost much less than the other alternatives, it will provide the least space of any of the plans.

"To prevent a major problem in the future, therefore, it is recommended that if this alternative is adopted, the town should immediately purchase an additional school site located where a future secondary building might be placed. In the interim, this site can serve the community admirably as open space or recreational area," the architect observed.

Paul

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