By MATT LINDSEY

NORWOOD – As students return to school Tuesday, the beginning of work to replace an aging heating system continues and changes to school entrances lead news at Norwood-Norfolk Central School.

The school will also welcome eight new teachers to its ranks.

Phase II of a $13.5 million capital project which was approved by voters in the summer of 2014 will not be completed by the time school opens, NNCS Superintendent Jamie Cruickshank said.

The majority of the work will be unseen by the public as it involves the replacement of the aged heating system with a new boiler. This also includes hot water. Most work will be in the boiler areas or be done after the students leave for the day. Work is expected to be complete next summer.

The most visible change is with the high school entrance, Cruickshank said. “Due to a delay in the availability of materials we will not have access to this entrance until mid-year.”

Therefore, high school students exiting buses will enter through the middle school entrance and students who drive will enter the Board of Education entrance.

“While this will certainly be disruptive, things will be better for our ADA compliance and access to the high school for people with disabilities,” he said. “Likewise, an extension on our mechanics bay in the garage will also be completed during the fall.”

Work was completed on a grease interceptor for the main kitchen.

“This was aged and originally under the actual kitchen floor,” Cruickshank said.

This summer it was moved outside, under the back parking lot.

The school welcomes eight new teachers to its staff. They include fifth grade teachers Colleen Boak and Michael Hammond, special education teacher Olivia Darou, chemistry teacher Emma Bonan, technology teacher Xach Dupree, elementary nurse Tracy McKinley, and shared BOCES teachers Jared Knowlton, who will teach physical education, and music teacher Jarod Parker.

Enrollment at Norwood-Norfolk has remained around 1,000 students in recent years.

“Right now we've had many new arrivals, but I predict that we'll begin the year with approximately 1,050 students … this has been rather consistent for the past few years,” he said.

Cruickshank noted that there were no major changes with busing schedules, times or policies.

“Ultimately, my goal is to provide a positive learning environment for our students; expand opportunities which will enable them to be productive citizens; and foster the school-home-community connection,” he said.