Mother of 4 asks for more transparency amid Norton Elementary repair extensions

Repairs at Norton Elementary School are going to take longer than expected, and students are not expected to be back in the school until the start of the next school year.

Meghan Smart, a Bloomfield Ridge mother of four boys — three of whom attend Norton — said the news is disappointing, but not surprising. 

A letter to families a few weeks before the school year began indicated that water damage was discovered and repairs would be required.

Students from the school, about 100 in number, were moved to Sussex Elementary. It's a school of 450 students, with a maximum capacity of 701.

Smart said her kids miss the small size of their old school, among other things.

"They miss the playground, they miss seeing each other, because it is a larger school that they're at now," she said.

"It's quieter at Norton."

Smart has launched a letter-writing campaign in response to what she feels is a lack of transparency by officials.

"We, as parents and members of the Norton community, deserve clear and honest answers. The well-being of our children is at stake, and we hope that our concerns will be addressed promptly and with the seriousness they warrant," the letter says.

Erika Jutras, spokesperson for the Department of Education, said in a statement that a tender was issued in the spring for the replacement of windows and siding at Norton Elementary School. But "significant deterioration of the inside exterior walls was discovered during construction." 

Jutras said further evaluation revealed sections of the exterior walls had to be removed and replaced, meaning more work to shore up the walls and improve wall and ceiling finishes.

Planning and pre-construction has started, with work expected to be ongoing until spring, she said, adding that the extent of repairs and costs are not yet finalized. 

Smart said she has tried to stay optimistic for her elementary-school sons but the transition hasn't been easy.

She said they are allowed to take the bus but she has opted to drive them the 30 minutes to Sussex, because they would need to be on the bus by 6:50 a.m. and wouldn't get home until almost 4 p.m.

Anglophone South spokesperson Jessica Hanlon said in a statement busing will remain the same for the rest of the school year.

The school is maximizing all available space, which wouldn't be ideal as a permanent solution, but "is very workable for the rest of the year," Hanlon said.

"We know families would like more information, and we are working with DTI to ensure better communication when they have updates."

Despite the recent update pointing to a fall return to Norton Elementary, Smart questions whether that will actually happen. She said she was originally told it would happen by Thanksgiving and then after Christmas.

"What's to say that they won't extend it again?" Smart said.

Her kids "are getting tired, and they do want their school back."