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Raising the roof ... twice at Pinkerton
DERRY — When Pinkerton Academy opened its doors Tuesday for the first official day of the new school year, the campus sported two new roofs on major buildings.
The field house and Shepard Building have new roof work completed just in time for the school bell to toll.
Pinkerton Headmaster Mary Anderson said the field house roof was damaged following severe wind storms earlier this year. All work was covered by insurance, Anderson said.
"And it's the first time in 23 years it hasn't leaked," she added.
The Shepard Building received roof work as well and now will be saving money in energy costs thanks to new insulation as part of the construction.
Anderson said the roof work were the only two major jobs done on campus to get ready for the new year. Approximately 3,200 students headed back to class this week.
Contract talks with Auburn still on
Pinkerton Academy still may bring on Auburn as its next sending town. Progress and talks are still ongoing between Pinkerton and Auburn's school district to possibly consider making Auburn an official, contracted sending town, joining with Derry, Hampstead and Chester.
With enrollment numbers going down, bringing Auburn on board could level out the numbers, Pinkerton officials said. But even if all heads in that direction, Auburn voters would still have to vote to approve such a move, and then it would still take several years to put a contract with Auburn in place since the town still has obligations to its contract with Manchester.
Pinkerton Headmaster Mary Anderson said the high school's sending towns make a nice mix to the student population in Derry.
"It adds another level of diversity," she said. "Four communities become one community when they move onto campus."
Pinkerton, Derry school board plan liaison
DERRY — Derry's School Board may soon have a Pinkerton Academy student helping out at meetings. A Pinkerton student liaison is in the works to be a communication bridge between the high school and Derry's board.
Pinkerton Headmaster Mary Anderson said preliminary progress is underway to choose a Pinkerton student to serve as a liaison to the board.
"We don't want it to be a popularity contest," Anderson stressed.
She said a student, probably a sophomore or junior, would be chosen through a selection process based on an essay and other qualifications.
"It's a good thing," Anderson said.
The Pinkerton headmaster said having a Pinkerton student help with the Derry School Board would be an added extra to keep both sides informed about what's going on.
