2014-09-23-AC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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9/23/14Minutes Liaison Reports: 3. Ad hoc School Master Planning Committee (AhSMPC):Mr. Levine reported that he reviewed thetwo reports that were presented to the School Committee last week: one from theEnrollment Working Group (working group)and one from Symmes, Maini, and McKee Associates (SMMA), consultants for the school master planning project. Mr. Levinedeveloped school enrollment projections that suggest an increase of approximately 600 students between now and 2019, whereas the working group projects 672 new students.In either case, the increases need to be addressed. Mr.Levineaddedthat Clarke Middle School will need additional space in three to four years, but the immediate demandis at the elementary level in 2015-2016. Although Estabrook Elementary School (Estabrook) has four extra classrooms,the other five elementary schools are currently at or exceeding capacity, andthe anticipated student increases in 2015-2016create a situation that challenges Lexington’s educationalpolicies.Redistricting alone will not resolve the problem.The SMMA report suggests using general classroom space for art and music programs until a long term solution is implemented at the elementary level, but the School Committee has traditionally expressed strong supportforseparate art andmusic rooms. Mr. Levine concluded his report by saying that the Ad hoc School Master Planning Committee has asked SMMA to provide costs and pros and cons for addressing the 2015-2016 elementary school capacity needs by adding modular classrooms and/or by moving pre-kindergarten students from the Harrington Elementary School into the School Administration Building. The latter is complicated because, althoughthe School Administration Buildinghas some available space, the building will need to be upgraded to meet currentschool building codes. Water/Sewer Rates:Mr. Bartenstein reported that the BoS had recently set the Town’s Water and Sewer rates for FY2015, and that there would be a 2% increase in combined water/sewer rates for the average consumer. He hopes that,in the future, the BoSwill consider his suggestions with respect to the water usage projections that are used to determine the rate changesand the management of surplus revenue. Next Meetings: 4.Mr. Parker will arrange for meeting space on October 22 and October 29. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m. The documentsused at the meeting arelistedbelow. Respectfully submitted, Sara Arnold Recording Secretary Approved November 20, 2014 Exhibits 1.Agenda,posted by Glenn Parker, Chair 3