1998-03-04 School Committee Minutes

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REGULAR SESSION -2- March 4, 1998 Chair Twomey advised that, if the School Committee endorses the School Building Committee's proposal, it would eliminate the third option from the School Size and Enrollment Committee. The issue tonight is whether the School Committee supports the School Building Committee's proposal. Chair Twomey advised that Mr. Stohlman had requested to make a presentation. Mr. Stohlman advised that he had the following three assumptions: 1. We need to solve the elementary enrollment problem. 2. We need to solve the Coolidge enrollment and programmatic problems. 3. Whatever the solution, it has to encompass the entire system. Mr. Stohlman distributed a packet including 13 pages of spreadsheets showing costs for various options and a map of the Birch Meadow area that shows possible sites for new school. Two sites would have no connection to the high school and one site intricately connected to the high school but separate middle school which would not depend on the high school being renovation. He also stated that to make Coolidge into an elementary school might require very little money to renovate 22 -24 classrooms which would be a large savings from the projected $7 million to $15 million. Mr. Stohlman described the options as listed and opened the discussion up to questions. Concerned citizen, John, stated that one of the assumptions is that architect stated that Coolidge will need work no matter what such as plumbing, heating, etc. Mr. Stohlman stated that Option 4 proposed that $4.7 million be spent to renovate Coolidge to an elementary school and it is still one of the lowest cost options. Concerned Citizen, Bill, stated that his concern is putting elementary students into Coolidge without proper renovation. Believes will take more than $3 million to renovate and we are starting off with a false assumption.