Donning hardhats, safety glasses and bright yellow-and-orange vests, leadership teams backing the new North Branford High School (NBHS) building project entered the construction site on Oct. 28, on a day that celebrated the teamwork it took to bring the project to fruition. Breaking into several smaller groups and taking up silver ceremonial shovels, each had a hand in officially breaking ground for construction of the first segment of the new building.

The $66 million project, of which some 43 percent will be reimbursed by the state, is on schedule and expected to be completed by December 2023.

The foundation of the new building section will begin to rise on land where a former segment of the school once stood. Following abatement this summer, 10 percent of the old building housing 13 classrooms was demolished at the back of the school, together with 25 percent of the overhead bridge which once connected NBHS to the North Branford Auditorium and North Branford Intermediate School (NBIS). Construction to complete the 30-month, multiple phase project is being undertaken by Gilbane Building Company (Glastonbury).

The new NBHS building, designed by Quisenberry Arcari Malik (QA+M) Architecture (Farmington), is being built to accommodate 524 high school students. The 106,100 square foot school building will have features include learning commons, science labs, engineering and technology, culinary arts, media center, arts and music, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria.

On Oct. 28, members of North Branford's Board of Education (BOE), Town Council and Permanent Project Building Committee as well as State Representative Vincent J. Candelora, Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker, project architect Rusty Malik, Gilbane project manager Kevin Pellegatto, North Branford Finance Director Anthony Esposito, North Branford Purchasing Assistant/Risk Manager Michelle Knockwood, NBHS principal Todd Stoeffler and vice principal Gregory Gwudz were among those sharing in the groundbreaking event.

Schoonmaker said he and the BOE appreciate all of the effort and teamwork which has gone into accomplishing the goal of building a new high school for North Branford.

"It's just great teamwork. Everyone came together, there was a lot of behind-the-scenes work to make this happen and a lot of cooperation," said Schoonmaker, who also recognized the "countless hours" put in by each individual and group involved.

Noting he's now in his 12th year as North Branford schools' chief, Schoonmaker said, "...we've been talking about this for quite some time, and to see it come to fruition is a huge, huge win."

North Branford, as a community, first became deeply involved in the conversation following a joint meeting of the Town Council and BOE in February, 2020, where three high school project options were presented: renovate-as-new (updating the school within the existing building footprint); renovate-as-new with added building expansion; or tear-down and build new on school campus property; with the latter choice ultimately selected.

As Schoonmaker pointed out, over the past 20 months and despite the additional hurdles of the pandemic, the work to approve, finance and receive state reimbursement approval for the project went forward thanks to the town's government and education leadership. Schoonmaker also recognized Candelora for his support at the state level.

Candelora, a North Branford resident, recalled the community's "leap of faith" involved in the start of the high school facility discussion process.

"We all knew we needed a new high school [but] in the beginning, I think we all had very different visions. And what I love about this was all parties coming together and making a decision that everybody thought was best. I think where this has landed has just been phenomenal for us," said Candelora.

On the leadership side of the equation, Candelora also noted that, by "...working together, I think it also was the fastest project that the state has ever approved. And part of that was because of the cooperation that we got from everybody on the Board of Ed and the [Town] Council."

"Working with the Board of Ed goes back a couple of years ago," said Mayor Bob Viglione of the Town leadership cooperation involved in this project. "They've been great, and so has Scott, in explaining things to us on the council. And the council, both Republicans and Democrats...we were all there for the same reason, for the people of this town, and I think that's the way we got it done."

Viglione said there were some "yes" and "no" moments among those on the council on the way to approving financing the project.

"I was a little hesitant in the beginning, because that's a lot of money for the taxpayers; but I think this was worth it. I'm very proud," said Viglione.

Viglione and his wife Linda attended the Oct. 28 groundbreaking and remarked that they were also members of the first two graduating classes from the "new" NBHS when the building was opened in 1964. They were members of the classes of 1965 and 1966, respectively.

"So this is my second groundbreaking for North Branford High School," said Viglione.

BOE chair Shawna Holzer said the Oct. 28 groundbreaking for the new NBHS building was a celebration of collaboration.

"It brings the collaboration of the Board of Education and the Town Council to fruition; with the Permanent Project Committee as the compass guiding us to success," said Holzer.

As a mom with a student NBHS, Holzer said she knows "...the kids are excited. They look out the windows to see the progress. My daughter is a sophomore at the school and they're very anxious to get into the new building."

NBHS teacher Nick DeLizio graduated from NBHS in 2004, at a point where the school building was already in need of an upgrade, he said. He was working a camera to create a record of the event for the NBHS community and said everybody in the building is excited about the project.

"It's awesome to see the day-by-day progress as we go along. I think it's going to be beneficial for the students, teachers and the whole community," DeLizio said. "To see this put in motion is wonderful for the town."