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REGULAR MEETING -5- February 23, 1998 <br />Chair Twomey stated that the School Committee has struggled with <br />this issues for years and are trying to balance school size and <br />class size at all elementary schools. <br />Ms. Northfield asked how far out the enrollment projections go. <br />Chair Twomey advised that the projections were done in 1997 and <br />go out 10 years. <br />Mr. Seth Reed questioned whether anyone had looked at what <br />Reading would do with the extra space if the trend turns and <br />enrollments go down. <br />Chair Twomey stated that the School Committee has not discussed <br />that issue yet because they have not deliberated on the issue. <br />Gael Phillips Spence stated that the School Size and Enrollment <br />Committee did discuss the possibility and looked at using space <br />for a full day kindergarten at a fee and also the possibility of <br />renting to a college extension program. <br />Mr. Seth Reed asked whether the dollars are time value of money. <br />Dr. Harutunian stated that on average, every year you wait to <br />construct you add 7% on construction costs. <br />Mr. Ortiz stated that we can barely maintain the buildings we <br />have now, have you looked at big picture. What if the economic <br />boom ends can we afford another building. <br />Chair Twomey stated that this issue will be considered. <br />Mr. Brown asked if special town meeting approves Coolidge <br />renovation with the School Committee thinking change on <br />elementary project. <br />Chair Twomey advised that it is a possibility, the School <br />Committee hopes to take a position before town meeting and may or <br />may not endorse Coolidge. <br />Mr. Ralph Sparney asked if RMHS can afford to wait until 2006. <br />Dr. Harutunian advised that an architect has been hired to do a <br />feasibility study on whether to renovate RMHS or construct a new <br />