HAVERHILL — On the surface it might seem routine. Maintenance workers and custodians were directed to spend last night conducting a last-minute cleanup of the city's flagship school in preparation for opening day today.
But for interim School Superintendent James Scully, it was a sign that things are about to change.
After yesterday's ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of Haverhill High School's five-year, $32 million renovation, Mayor James Fiorentini, along with School Committee member Raymond Sierpina and Scully, walked the halls to see if the school was ready for students today.
Scully said he was unhappy with some of the things he found.
"The school generally looks good given the fact that we moved hundreds of yards of dirt and loam outside, plus hydro-seed for grass," Scully said about recent outdoor construction of the school's new parking areas, entrances and exits. "However, there are things that personally irritate me."
He said he found chalk on classroom walls and wax buildup on corridor floors that should have been taken care of, as well as other cleanliness issues.
"What irritates me is there are some things that, over a period of time, should have been handled," Scully said. "The debate can go on about school cleanliness, but the time for debate is over."
He said school cleanliness is ultimately his responsibility and that he has met with the custodial union leadership to discuss the problem.
"I have directed principals to get their schools clean and I don't want to hear excuses from anybody," Scully said.
A sign on the wall of his office in City Hall reads "No More Yeah Buts."
School Committee member Paul Magliocchetti said concerns about the high school's cleanliness have been an issue since he was elected to the committee last year.
"It is very obvious that the tack the prior administration took did not work, and hopefully Scully's approach will work," Magliocchetti said. "The cleanliness of the high school has improved since he's taken over."
"So far I am giving Scully an A for his performance as a superintendent," Magliocchetti said. "He's tackled a number of issues in a very short period of time and I believe he is exhibited the kind of leadership that our district needs at this time."
During a pre-opening day meeting yesterday morning at DiBurro's with about 1,000 teachers and other school employees and officials, Scully talked about several issues, including the need to ensure student safety as well as school cleanliness.
He told staff members that Haverhill's schools must be kept clean and safe, and that while most employees work toward that goal, "there are some that think they are kidding someone."
"Let me assure you that anyone who is of that mind-set better think again," Scully told them. "Our schools will be clean and those who have not carried their share of the effort will soon see that the free ride is over."
A crowd gathered at the Thinker statue in front of the high school's main entrance at noon yesterday to celebrate the completion of the renovation. Guests included members of the School Building Committee that monitored the project, School Committee members, city councilors, the mayor, state Reps. Barbara L'Italien and Brian Dempsey, and state Sen. Steven Baddour. Also attending were the project's architect, contractors, about 80 students, school Principal Bernard Nangle and other high-school staff.
Scully said school Maintenance Director Jeff Dill worked with the city's Highway Department this summer to ensure school crosswalks were repainted in time for the start of school along with additional street markings that are intended to improve traffic safety during student drop-off and pickup times.
At Walnut Square Elementary School, the city painted new striped yellow lines on the Main Street side where school buses stop. At Consentino Middle School and the Silver Hill Horace Mann Charter School, past problems with traffic control are expected to improve through a system of arrows and other street markings that will guide vehicles into and out of the properties.
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