Gone are the 1960s-era blue Formica panels, and the inefficient window walls that saw cold and drafty classrooms turn into toaster ovens in spring and fall.

The windows and walls were replaced this summer with sleek, double-paned glass windows and doors. The effect has modernized the building's look as well as given it a sleek, high-tech appearance. More important is the potential savings in heating and cooling costs the new windows will save taxpayers.

Al Costa, director of facilities for East Hartford Public Schools, expressed his pleasure with both the contractor for finishing on time, and school facilities staff who stepped in to customize the sheet metal cabinets that needed to be created for heating and cooling units in each classroom. Only the front entryway doors remain to be installed, as well as some decorative seats and plant holders near the entryway. The area surrounding the flagpole will get new brick pavers, and landscape plantings will be installed along the front of the school, further upgrading its appearance.

It is a long-awaited renovation, says Costa.

"The existing window wall system which dates back to 1962 was inefficient, outdated and in disrepair," he states. The new windows are "low-E" double-pane commercial grade glass and aluminum frames with thermal breaks for optimum energy efficiency.

The new windows are part of an approved State Department of Education grant which the Town will receive 71.79% reimbursement of eligible construction costs.

The new windows will provide the school with annual heating oil savings of about $46,980 due to its energy efficient design. The project construction began on June 16, 2008 and will be substantially completed by August 22 - five days before school officially starts.

Funds for the project came thanks to a taxpayer-approved bond issue.

Additionally, School District Trades and General Maintenance Staff, Costa reported, "worked feverishly throughout this summer" to complete interior renovations within the perimeter rooms which received the new windows.

Those renovations consisted of the removal of all existing Unit Ventilators/Heaters along the windows, the installation of 60 new unit ventilators/heaters as well as new zone valves and thermostatic controls for each classroom. These units were enclosed in new custom built cabinetry fabricated and finished by our staff.

"The school district benefited greatly by having its Trades and General Maintenance Staff perform this work," notes Costa. "The Superintendent of Schools, Board of Education and Department of Facilities wish to recognize and thank the School District Plumbers, Electrician, HVAC Technician, General Maintenance Staff and the leadership of Local 1933 for their hard work and cooperation during this enormous project!"

The new look is sure to bring something that is priceless in Costa's budget calculation: Increased pride in their building from students, teachers and staff. But, notes Costa, the renovations will also vastly improve building comfort so that "students and staff can work in an environment conducive for learning."