CHATHAM – The $11.5 million replacement of siding and windows at Monomoy Regional Middle School was always expected to be on a tight schedule. And while the job is nearing completion, it took a bit longer than expected, prompting school officials to delay the start of classes for grades five through seven from Tuesday, Sept. 1 to Thursday, Sept. 3.

 Last Friday, Superintendent of Schools Robin Millen notified parents of the change.

 “Based on detailed discussions with the contractors and to provide the best learning environment for our students and staff, we will delay the start of school at MRMS by two days,” she wrote in an emailed notice. “By having students begin on Sept. 3, our teachers and staff will be able to prepare their rooms and materials before students arrive. We also have continued air quality testing throughout the middle school building. You can find that information and other project updates on our website.”

 District Community Engagement Coordinator Joy Jordan said the delay aims to ensure that the school is ready for school and staff for opening day.

 “While the bulk of the work is done, there is construction cleanup that needs to happen to get the building back in shape for educators and students to return,” she said. “The delay allows time for the teachers to get into their rooms for setup before students return. There will be a few remaining items still to be done once students and staff are back, and those will not be disruptive to learning.”

 The siding and window replacement is taking place in three phases, with the first phase — work on classrooms and other instructional spaces — now largely complete. Phase 2 work, replacing remaining siding, trim, vapor barrier, flashing, interior trim and windows, continues in the fifth grade wing, library, courtyard, entrances and adjacent elevations. The window replacement here is expected to continue through late September. Phase 3, which includes the E-wing, courtyard and connecting elevations, is also expected to continue into September, according to a construction progress update posted on Aug. 18.

 “During August, the project also encountered unforeseen mold and asbestos-related conditions in several interior areas. The project team has been coordinating remediation, abatement, testing, and restoration while prioritizing classrooms required for school operations,” the update reads. “The cafeteria is also undergoing abatement and interior restoration, while separate mold remediation activities continue at the main gym. These additional activities are being coordinated separately from the original contract work to minimize impacts to school reopening.

 “Classrooms and instructional spaces are being turned over on a rolling basis as drywall, painting, construction cleaning, and other interior work are completed,” the update continues. The school district, owner’s project manager, architects, general contractor and environmental consultants are closely coordinating to ensure rooms are ready “as the building transitions back to active school use.”

 What will middle school students notice when they return to classes?

 “Well, as middle schoolers they may not notice anything,” Jordan quipped. “The exterior siding is brand new and looks fantastic, there are all new windows and trim, our custodial crew has been working extra hard to make sure all other cleaning and updates have been made, and the team is so excited to welcome them back, even with a couple of days delay.”

 The siding and window replacement was funded at last year’s town meetings, with costs split between Chatham and Harwich based on the regional school district funding formula. Following intensive work over the summer, the project is now entering the “punch-list” phase, where the contractor and OPM identify the last remaining tasks to be completed. The work was prompted after concerns were raised about mold and air quality in the building,linked to siding that was improperly installed in 1997 that caused water intrusion which allowed moisture to accumulate inside walls, particularly around windows.

 The school restoration project includes a second stage, the $11.8 million replacement of the roof, with the towns sharing the cost along with the Massachusetts School Building Authority. With the exception of some of the roof sections that were replaced in 2018 after significant storm damage, the majority of the middle school roof was installed in 1997, with some portions dating back to 1991. Voters approved funding for the roof project this year, and work is expected to begin soon.

Though kids in the Nauset schools get another week of summer vacation, youngsters in the Monomoy Regional School District are starting the academic year next Tuesday.

 Classes begin in Monomoy on Sept. 1 for grades 1 to 4 and 8 to 12. Middle schoolers start classes on Sept. 3 (see related story), as do kindergarten students. Preschoolers start on Sept. 8.

 The district’s biggest news for the 2026-2027 academic year is its new leader, Superintendent Robin Millen, who takes the place of retired Superintendent Scott Carpenter.

 “Dr. Millen has been a part of the district for many years, serving as assistant principal at Harwich Elementary, principal at Chatham Elementary, the district’s director of curriculum, and then assistant superintendent prior to being named superintendent,” district Community Engagement Coordinator Joy Jordan said. “She has spent time this summer engaging with the community with one-on-one meetings, media interviews, and more.” 

 “We are so excited to welcome back our Sharks soon for another great school year,” Millen said. “I am humbled and grateful for the warm welcome I have received as I have moved into the role of superintendent.” To share their excitement for the start of the school year, the Monomoy administrative team took a field trip into the community with stops at some students' homes as well as partners like local libraries and town halls.

 Curriculum-wise, the district received a $197,000 PRISM grant from the state to support reading instruction and early literacy in preschool through grade 3. In the middle and high school, the district is expanding its “Project Lead the Way” programming, which provides career-focused STEM education. 

 Monomoy is welcoming approximately 26 new staff members this year, including a few who joined the district mid-year last year. 

 Today (Aug. 27) at 3 p.m., the district is hosting its annual back-to-school get-together. Students, families, educators and community members are invited to stop by at the back of the high school for “a cool treat and a warm reunion,” Jordan said.

 “This is a year of transition in many ways, and it brings so much excitement and enthusiasm for what’s to come for our students, families, educators, and community,” Millen said. “Monomoy is a special place filled with special people, and together we are going to continue the great learning and growing happening here.”