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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-09-24 School Committee Minutes - Joint School Building CommitteeREADING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Reading, Massachusetts JOINT MEETING SCHOOL COMMITTEE /SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE Joint Meeting September 24 1997 CALL TO ORDER Chair Twomey called the joint meeting of the School Committee and School Building Committee to order at 7:35 in the library of the Parker Middle School. Present were all School Committee Members, Members of the School Building Committee and Superintendent Harutunian. Chair Twomey advised that the group would start the meeting by touring the Parker Middle School. Chair Twomey called the joint meeting back to order at 8:18. Chair Graham of the School Building Committee stated that School Committee Member D'Antona would be stepping down as the liaison to the School Building Committee after the dedication of the Parker Middle School. Chair Graham expressed his and the Building Committee's thanks and gratitude for Ms. D'Antona's dedicated service to the School Building Committee. Chair Twomey also thanked Ms. D'Antona for her service on behalf of the School Committee. Ms. D'Antona stated that she was pleased to have had the opportunity to serve with such an esteemed group of people. Dr. Harutunian introduced Mr. Dussault from New England School Development Committee (NESDEC) Mr. Dussault would be making a presentation on enrollment projections to the Committees. NESDEC PRESENTATION Mr. Dussault discussed the historical enrollments by grade and grade combinations and enrollment projections by grade and grade combinations that was distributed to the Committees. He advised the Committee that he is still waiting for official, October 1, enrollment numbers before final projection numbers are done. Mr. Dussault advised the Committees that NESDEC uses the Modified Cohort Survival System and looks into building permits, house Joint Meeting -2- September 24, 1997 sales, births, historically over the past 8 -10 years, enrollments, historically over the last 8 -10 years, and in and out migration in the community. Mr. Dussault also advised the Committee that NESDEC obtains birth records from the State Department of Public Health rather than Town Clerk because numbers from the state are usually higher than Town Clerks numbers because Town Clerk numbers may not reflect out of state and out of country births. Mr. Dussault discussed the projections with the Committees and stated that Reading is seeing a steady growth in population and that NESDEC is confident that the numbers presented are both conservative and accurate. Dr. Harutunian advised the Committee that he had checked with Town Hall for births up to September 1 and the information obtained from Town Hall indicates that birth rate is running slightly higher than 1994 and 1996. Dr. Harutunian advised that he did not use the 1995 rate because it was a very high figure. Mr. Ensminger discussed his previous enrollment projections with the Committees. He also stated that in his opinion, Mr. Dussault was correct in that numbers are increasing due to immigration. Mr. Ensminger advised the Committee that, in his opinion, there was no reason to conclude that NESDEC numbers are not accurate. Ms. Williams asked Mr. Dussault how state information is comparing to national. Mr. Dussault stated that he did not look into that information, however, industrial cities' figures are staying equal or going down. Communities that are seeing a growth are communities with new subdivisions that are offering good school systems. Ms. D'Antona asked Mr. Ensminger if he had included SPED figures in his projections and asked how they are separated out. Mr. Ensminger advised that when he did projections, he did not include SPED or METCO figures. He stated that you add back in what you think is approximate number. Mr. Dussault stated that the State is now requiring that all SPED students be assigned to a grade level. NESDEC went back five years and asked Reading to put into grade levels. Joint Meetina -3- September 24, 1997 Mr. Stohlman asked what the reason was for using high factor with birth rates and what would lead us to expect birth rates will be in the 310 area? He stated he felt the assumptions let to worst case projections. Mr. Dussault advised that NESDEC felt because of immigration of younger families the trend will continue to increase. Could be a little bit high but used average of last three years. Dr. Harutunian advised that Reading is continuing to draw people to the community. He also stated that numbers could drastically change with major economic down slide. Mr. Spadafora stated that boomers turned 50 and questioned if we need to re- evaluate home turn over rates. Mr. Ensminger stated that Dick has a reasonable methodology. Mr. Twomey asked Mr. Dussault if actual enrollments include METCO. Mr. Dussault stated that they did not include these numbers because a vote of the School Committee could change the policy on METCO. Mr. Twomey also asked if there are other methodologies to predict births and if looked at potential new home growth in town and if the attract ability of town was taken into account. Mr. Dussault advised that NESDEC doesn't normally predict K -5 figures 10 years out, so best estimate is average of last three years. In Reading, the number of child bearing aged women moving in is greater than the number moving out. Mr. Dussault stated that the least reliable figures in his distributions are birth rates 1998 -2002. Mr. Dussault advised they did look at Reading's attract ability factor when projecting enrollments. Chair Graham stated that Reading is a victim of its own success. One of the things the School Building Committee needs from the School Committee is either an endorsement of these projection figures or an endorsement of a modified version of these numbers in order to look ahead and begin planning. Joint Meeting -4- September 24 1997 Chair Twomey advised that the School Committee will wait for NESDEC to run the official October 1 enrollment numbers and will discuss again at the October 6th meeting. Dr. Harutunian advised that the representative from Strekalovsky & Hoit would be making a presentation regarding Coolidge Middle School. Mr. Stohlman advised that he used to work at Strekalovsky & Hoit 10 years ago and had consulted for the firm approximately three years ago. STREKALOVSKY & HOIT PRESENTATION Mr. Raymond from Strekalovsky & Hoit advised the Committee that they had been hired to look at Coolidge Middle School. Over the past 10 years, they have completed approximately 30 projects in similar towns in similar situations. The first task was to determine a realistic capacity for Coolidge. The capacity figure arrived at was between 350 -400. Currently there are 450 students at Coolidge. The numbers from NESDEC indicate that Coolidge must fit 550 -650 in the future. Taking into account the current square footage at Coolidge and the condition of the existing structure, they are recommending a 25,000- 30,000 square foot addition. The building, obviously, will not look like a Parker but the addition and upgrade of existing building will allow Coolidge Middle School to have an educational program similar to that of Parker Middle School. The estimated figure for the upgrade and addition is approximately $8 -$10 million. This figure would qualify for State funding due to enrollment increases. This figure includes many upgrades to the existing structure that you may or may not want to do including electrical upgrade, HVAC upgrades etc. Mr. Stohlman asked the cost of building a brand new facility. Mr. Raymond advised that the State reimburses new construction at $159.00 per square foot which is for construction, furniture and equipment. Mr. Spadafora questioned how the state would look at funding Coolidge after having funded Parker. Dr. Harutunian stated that although nothing is guaranteed, he had met with the State and funding looks good because increased enrollment is one of the higher priority funding categories. Joint Meting -5- September 24, 1997 Mr. Spadafora questioned how much of the $8 -$10 million cost is discretionary, how much can be trimmed? Mr. Raymond advised that the $8 -$10 would not be questioned by the State because they will be looking for upgrades to existing structure as well as cost of addition. Dr. Harutunian advised that the state knows the history of cutting back on projects and they are strong in seeing that it is completed to their specifications. Ms. Cavicchi questioned if the court yards and soccer fields would be taken by the addition and if field renovation is part of the state reimbursement. Mr. Raymond stated that they are aware of the limited field s- pace. The $8 -$10 million project would go out the rear of the building into the field toward the YMCA but away from possible wet lands. Should be able to maintain soccer field and basketball court but may have to cut into the hill for play area. This is reimbursable. Parking is another issue at Coolidge. Mr. Raymond advised that they did look into putting on second floor or demolishing part of existing building but all these options are more expensive. Ms. Williams asked if it is conceivable that we will have to start from scratch like we did at Parker? Chair Graham stated that to update Parker would have cost $1 million less than new construction and the State would not allow. Coolidge should be different, cost would be much higher to build new. Mr. Twomey stated that Dr. Harutunian spoke to Town Manager about a February town meeting. We need to button down when warrant would close for that, need time frame to get information to School Building Committee. Chair Graham stated that it is obvious that there is an elementary and middle school problem. Need priority from the School Committee, what plans are after you receive recommendations from Space Size and Enrollment Committee. Ms. Cavicchi asked what the deadline is for the School Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that a decision needs to be made by mid - December. Joint Meeting -6- September 24 1997 Mr. Twomey stated that regardless of recommendations from the School Size and Enrollment Committee the numbers speak for themselves. Problem in the 6 -8 category, need to get project on track. Dr. Harutunian advised that the School Size and Enrollment Committee could look at grade configuration as a possible solution. However, when looking at Coolidge, there will be a problem no matter what three grades are there, more room for increased enrollment is needed. Mr. Stohlman stated that we have 3 problems on the table and no one is looking at the school system as a whole. Some solutions may by K -12. Dr. Harutunian advised that is what he is doing. Mr. Spadafora stated that he sees the K -12 solutions will come from three components: 1. Space Size and Enrollment Committee K -5 2. Study at Coolidge 3. Study at High School Mr. Stohlman questioned whether a middle school and high school parent shouldn't be on the Space Size and Enrollment Committee. Dr. Harutunian advised that the high school study will help determine plans for long term use of extra space at high school. It is possible that the Space Size and Enrollment Committee could suggest all kindergarten classes be held at the high school. Dr. Harutunian advised that a change in grade configuration has a whole educational component that needs to be looked at. Chair Twomey advised that this would be discussed again at the October 6th meeting when actual enrollment numbers are available and further data on births is given. ADJOURN Mr. Spadafora made a motion to adjourn at 10:46 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Cavicchi. The vote was 6 -0. Ms. Cavicchi, Ms. D'Antona, Mr. Spadafora, Mr. Stohlman, Mr. Twomey and Ms. Williams. Respectfully bmitted, Harry . Harutunian, Ph.D. Superintendent of Schools