New Haven, Conn. – At the September 23 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Madeline Negrón confirmed that ABV Industry Groups LLC will finish its facilities contract on Sept. 30, ending the district’s reliance on a private contractor that has served the schools since 2022. The short‑term transitional agreement, approved in May, costs $116,000 and provides a clean break as the district builds a permanent, in‑house facilities team.
Building a Local Workforce
Negrón explained that the district is already moving forward with several key hires. Chief of School Operations Paul Whyte is overseeing day‑to‑day facilities work while the search for a new facilities manager continues. An offer has been extended to another top candidate from the civil‑service pool, and the board expects a response soon.
In addition, the district has identified candidates for custodial day‑supervisor and night‑shift supervisor positions, with offers slated for this week. Ten floaters have received offers to join the maintenance team, and five recently vacated itinerant maintenance floater roles have been filled, pending a 90‑day probationary period before they can apply for assistant‑manager openings.
Upcoming Trades Hiring
To further strengthen the department, the board will soon seek two carpenters and two plumbers. Selections will follow the city’s Civil Service Commission testing process, ensuring that the most qualified candidates are chosen from the city’s top‑ranked list.
Community Concerns and Union Action
During public comment, five community members voiced frustration that decades of privatized facilities management have left school buildings in poor condition. Their concerns echo a recent Hillhouse High School rally that highlighted health and learning impacts of deteriorating facilities. Teachers union president Leslie Blatteau reported that the union has filed more than 30 grievances this school year over building safety and health issues.
While the district acknowledges these criticisms, Negrón emphasized that the shift to in‑house staffing is a direct response to community demands for safer, healthier learning environments.
Major Capital Projects
Hillhouse High School has been awarded a $6.8 million state grant toward an $8.8 million roof replacement. The district expects to select a contractor by the end of 2026, with work slated to begin in winter and a projected completion in spring. In the interim, the school is patching leak‑prone sections and relocating affected classes.
Mold testing in five leak‑affected classrooms found no indoor mold, though surface mold was discovered in a third‑floor computer room. Remediation is underway, and daily checks by the principal and a custodial worker will ensure problems are reported before teachers arrive.
After the roof is replaced, the district plans to overhaul the entire HVAC system, a move that will also address complaints about excessive heat in the King/Robinson auditorium where board meetings are held.
Lincoln Bassett School Flood Recovery
Following a broken sprinkler head that flooded the library, four classrooms and the STEM lab, the district completed remediation work. Drywall, carpet and flooring are being replaced, with final painting and an air‑quality test scheduled before students return. The school expects to reopen on Sept. 28, after temporary relocation to Wexler Grant.
Pest Control and Ongoing Maintenance
Both Dr. Reginald Mayo Early Childhood School and King/Robinson are undergoing pest‑control measures. A vendor and carpenter have sealed exterior entry points, installed non‑chemical sticky traps, and removed clutter that provided nesting sites. Weekly inspections of bait stations will continue, and staff are urged to report any sightings.
Mayor and Board Support
Mayor Justin Elicker, who also serves on the Board of Education, stressed that many school conditions are “just not acceptable.” He noted the city’s effort to expedite the Hillhouse roof project by seeking state approval to use a state‑appointed contractor, bypassing the usual competitive bidding process.
City fire marshals will inspect school buildings in August for fire safety, while the Health Department will review cafeterias and pools. Ongoing safety walkthroughs will focus on emergency building intrusion concerns.
Looking Ahead
Negrón pledged continued transparency, promising regular updates on facilities work and the use of the district’s $15 million biannual capital budget. “We have heard the public loud and clear,” she said, “and we must do better in communicating what we are doing and not assume the public knows.”
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
