Marblehead school renovations to affect students

MARBLEHEAD – Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac reminded parents at a special school meeting Wednesday that the Marblehead Village School for Grades 4-6 includes two structures: the one-story 1955 wing, which houses some classrooms and the school’s auditorium, library, cafeteria and service offices, and the three-story 1967 wing, which holds mostly classrooms.A dozen parents met with Dulac and Village School Interim Principal Danielle Cherry to discuss the impact of a major two-year renovation project on students.On Sept. 2, the first day of school, Grades 4 and 6 will switch places. Grade 6 will move from the third floor of the 1967 wing to the 1955 wing. Grade 4 will be housed on the top floor of the 1967 wing.Sometime in January, when the school renovation project begins, Grade 6 will move again, either to portable classrooms on the Village School property or to the Marblehead Veterans Middle School, which now houses Grades 7 and 8.Dulac mentioned that when they reach the Veterans School they will still be Village School students on a Village School schedule, in their own separate space. There will also be two administrators ready to ease the transition: Principal Libby Moore and new part-time Assistant Principal Thomas DesJardin, who will also act as curriculum director of kindergarten-Grade 6 math."The sixth graders are the oldest students here and we thought they could make the best adjustment," Dulac said. He told parents that the portable classrooms were "beautiful" and larger than the classrooms at the Village School.The move could reduce the Village School from 737 students to about 400. School Committee Chairman Amy Drinker said it was better to have fewer students and get the project completed as soon as possible.