1983-09-12 School Committee Minutes

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19G READING SCHOOL COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12, 1983 enrollments will increase again; and, if a school is needed, whether the Town would vote for it. Mr. Nissen moved, seconded by Mrs. Philbrick, that the School Committee resolve that it intends to turn the Pearl Street School over to the Board of Selectmen, subject to approval of Town Meeting, to be used only as a municipal building. Chairman Coco said that he felt the Committee was really making a decision on taking a school out of use with very little information, adding that he believed the School Committee should keep the School under its control. He also said that Town Meeting should be made aware that if the school population increases to the point that another building is needed that the School Committee would go before them to seek funds. He noted that developments proposed and the possibility of a change in the law governing apartment buildings could effect enrollments. Mrs. Philbrick said that, from the data available, it appears the Pearl Street School would not be needed before 1990 and it is anticipated that at that time only about 50% of the High School building will be needed, adding that she viewed that 50% as a safety net - an area to place students if there are an extra 350 Kindergarteners by then. Dr. Wells pointed out that there is a movement sweeping the country to initiate early childhool education, which would mean two more grades would have to be housed. He questioned housing the younger students in the High School should this become a reality, and asked why the School Committee should have to take the risk at this time. Dr. Wells expressed the belief that it would be prudent for the School Committee to retain control of the Pearl Street School for a few years. He then suggested that the motion on the floor be reversed so as to state that if the Town Meeting requests it the Pearl Street School will be turned over to the town, knowing that there is a risk if the School Committee complies. Mr. Nigro felt that the disposition of the Pearl Street School should be part of a Town -wide debate. He added that he did not believe the School Committee should hold on to the School for 7 years, let alone 10 - 12 years, without using it. He then moved, seconded by Mr. Allen, that the School Committee resolve that if Town Meeting requests the Pearl Street School for a municipal building then the School Committee will vote to turn it over to the Town. Mr. Nissen then withdrew his motion. Mrs. Bernice Herrick, a visitor, asked what the cost would be to mothball the School for future use. Mr. Winslow replied that it would be $13,000, plus yearly maintenance costs. Mr. Nissen pointed out the possibility of vandalism to a mothballed building, adding that if the School is mothballed then the Committee will again be faced with the question of what to do with it in about three years. Mr. Allen felt that the motion now on the floor would circumvent the authority of the School Committee. The Chairman then called for a vote on Mr. Nigro's motion. It carried 3 -2, with Mr. Nigro, Mr. Nissen and Mrs. Philbrick voting in the affirmative and the Chairman and Mr. Allen in the negative.