Brandon school job on schedule

A new 520-student elementary school on Stevenson Road in the Brandon Farms development is expected to be ready to open as scheduled next September

By: John Tredrea
   A new 520-student elementary school on Stevenson Road in the Brandon Farms development is expected to be ready to open as scheduled next September.
   "Overall, things are going very well" on the Hopewell Township construction site, said David Tillou of the construction management firm of Tillou and Formica Inc. at Monday’s school board agenda meeting.
   Mr. Tillou makes monthly progress reports to the board on work at the new school and other construction projects, including classroom renovations and new parking at Central High School (see separate story).
   Superintendent of Schools Robert Sopko said "the progress" on the new school "has been phenomenal since our last meeting … It’s delightful to see the steel frame and brickwork" framing the outlines of the school.
   The superintendent said the school board is scheduled to vote Oct. 15 on the proposed name for the new school: Stony Brook School. Based on comments made by the board Monday night, it appears the name will be approved unanimously.
   Mr. Tillou said all concrete footings for the new school are done. The school will have two two-story wings and one one-story wing. Steel work on one of the two-story wings is complete. Steel work on the other two-story wing is scheduled to start Monday. The slab for the second floor of the school is scheduled to be poured that day as well.
   Plumbing work started Monday, with two crews on the job. "The electrician is on the site and proceeding appropriately," Mr. Tillou said. "We feel that if the entire building is enclosed — that is, if the exterior block, roof and windows and are installed — by the end of December, the school will open on the first of September … every indication is we’ll make it."
   Enclosing the school means "I can work on finishes during the winter," Mr. Tillou said.