1975-12-01-SC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 228 December 1, 1975 1975 1980 f Enrollment 3,771 2,564 - Minus 1,207 Students Classroom Teachers At present ratio 1:24.6 153 104 - Minus 49 teachers *At reduced ratio of 1:22 117 - Minus 36 teachers Number of Classrooms At present ratio 23:9 158 107 - Minus 31 Classrooms *At reduced ratio of 22 117 - Minus 41 classrooms *Projected at improved classrooms and pupil-teacher ratio. Above projections do not include consideration for any change in the use of 35 potential classrooms now used for other purposes. The real problem facing parents, citizens, educators and School Committee is what to do with approximately 50 empty classrooms. Improvement in the pupil teacher ratio to 1:22 would leave a sur- plus of 41 empty classrooms and a ratio of 1:20 a surplus of 30 classrooms. At the present time the proposal uppermost in everyone's mind is the progressive closing of Hancock (8 classrooms), Munroe (10 classrooms), Parker (13 classrooms) , Adams (16 classrooms). This would eliminate a total of 47 rooms or approximately 43 actual classrooms. As an alternative to building closing, I wish to offer the follow- ing suggestions for consideration by all concerned. 1. The structural make-up of Bowman and Bridge Schools indicate that sections involving 10 or 12 classrooms might be physically separated and used for some other purpose without disturbing the educational process. (Total of 24 classrooms). There may be an additional 8 classrooms each in Hastings and Harrington Schools which might be separated (Total of 16 classrooms). 2. Small schools such as Munroe and Hancock, if they are to re- main on-line, should be administered by one principal and staff thus saving the higher administration salaries. This arrangement is not uncommon in other school districts across the country. 3. If step one above is possible, then step two might also prove feasible for those additional schools involved with reduced en- rollments. 'In conclusion, because of the complexity of what to do with empty buildings or classrooms and because it is a town-wide problem, I feel it would be useful for the school committee and administration to involve the selectmen for input regarding the future use of empty buildings or classrooms."