July 31, 2002

School Library Expansion Okd by Zoning Unit
By Sarah Sparks, Republican American

Washington, CT... The Devereux Glenholme School has received final approval to expand its library.

The Zoning Commission voted unanimously July 22 to approve the 1,500-square-foot addition. There were no complaints or comments from neighbors during the public hearing, in part because the present landscaping on campus will block the view of the construction from all but one neighbor's property.

The library sits near the center of the school's 100-acre campus at 81 Sabbaday Lane, off Route 109.

The building would expand and "fill in" one corner of the present library, said commission member Lawrence Cass.

The Health Department approved the addition, which doesn't require new sewage or plumbing lines because the room would open into the existing building.

Devereux Glenholme is one of the state's largest boarding schools for special needs students. It provides educational curriculum and treatment for students ages 5 to 17 with emotional, learning or behavioral disorders. The school is one of 14 health and education centers run by the nonprofit Devereux Foundation, now celebrating its 90th anniversary.

The school, founded in 1968 on the former Van Sinderen family estate, now includes a go-cart track, indoor pool and gymnasium.

Devereux Glenholme began fundraising for the library expansion, part of the school's long-term capital plan. It also hopes to add an indoor equestrian riding ring and auditorium, an art and drama center, a production studio and two more student dormitories.

The residence halls are the only project that would increase the number of students and faculty at the school, Cass said. Devereux Glenholme now has 95 year-round students, housed in cottage-style residences.