July 22, 2005 – Repairs to the burned-out classrooms at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School could begin as early as Saturday.
In a news release issued Friday, Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards stated that he held a meeting on Tuesday with the commissioners of Finance, Education, and Property and Procurement; Office of Management and Budget Director Ira Mills; acting Attorney General Kerry Drue; and Capital Projects Coordinator Keith Richards to address the advancement of the repairs for the junior high school.
No work had been done to the five Cancryn classrooms destroyed by a late-night fire last November despite much protesting from angry teachers, students and parents and a proclamation from the governor to speed up standard procurement procedures. (See "Educators Get Update on Cancryn, Kean and Web Site".)
Now, eight months after the fire occurred, Apex Construction has been contracted to repair the defunct classrooms.
"I have directed the commissioners and the directors present to impress upon Apex Construction the urgency of these repairs as a critical priority of the administration, and that they must proceed with a rigorous schedule, even if takes working day and night to complete repairs for the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year," Richards said.
Richards said he has also reiterated the need for urgency in acquiring the necessary resources and materials for the timely completion of the project. According to Richards, Property and Procurement Commissioner Marc Biggs has assured him that he would be "vigilant on this matter."
"I know that this has presented a challenge for the entire school community and has languished unacceptably," Richards said. "It is commendable that they have patiently anticipated the completion of repairs, and have met their academic and curricular objectives diligently despite being placed in a disadvantageous position while awaiting repairs."
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