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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1957-01-14-CEC-min (2).pdf MEETING OF THE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES COMMITTEE WITH THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE January 14, 1957 Present for the School Committee. Mr. John Smith, Superintendent; Mr. Spirts, Administrative Assistant; Mrs. Leroy Marek, Chairman of the School Com- mittee; Donald Clark; Gordon Steele; Edward Martin; Neil Chapman. Present for the Capital Expenditures Committee. Sanborn Brown, Chairman; John A. Carrier; Mrs. Arthur (Rosemary) Fitzgerald; D. Sargent Goddard; Norman Royle; Mrs. James (Jean) Wanless, Secretary Mrs. Marek spoke briefly She said the School Committee tries to write down their objectives and philosophy and keep checking their program to see-if they are fulfilling these objectives. She believes the town would approve appropriations for sufficient educational facilities. The Committee believes that school buildings should be ready when needed. No money is saved by postponing needed buildings and double sessions hamper the educational program. Money must be appropriated for buildings two years in advance of the date when the building is needed. This year we have an average of 27.6 pupils in elementary class rooms; however, there are 30 rooms with over 30 pupils and one with 40 (at Munroe) The Committee tries to stay under 30. Of course everything does not always average out properly so that there are the same number of children in each room. For the first three grades it is best to stay down to 25 pupils The new addition to Franklin School is needed for the fall of 1957 (or there will have to be double sessions). See separate sheet on School Enrollment and building from Superintendent. Also two sheets on "Proposed Five Year Building Program" - especially the one Revised, January 15th, 1957 Mr. Smith spoke about estimating school enrollment in the future. He uses the New England School Development Council method which takes into account the birth rate, survival ratio, migration into the community. He said this is very accurate for up to two years ahead (usually z to 1% off ---low). He has also corrected for Lexington Academy (30) The figures are conservative. No provision is made for kindergarten (which would require 12 extra rooms right now) or for drastic reduction in room size. Estimating school population five or seven year in advance is not so accurate. Mr. Brown asked if the School Committee would like to add 12 rooms for kindergarten in 1960 (when there is no request for other school building) Mrs. Marek replied they are considering adding kindergarten when practical. They must revise their future plans each year and be realistic. All referred to sheet on secondary schools (Table V and VI) and discussion followed. Mrs. Marek said the average class size is 30. The facilities are adequate through 1958. In 1959 the present junior high (grades 7 and 8) will be seriously SCHOOL COMMITTEE - Jan. 14, 1957 (cont.) page 2 overcrowded with 1055 pupils (even though more were in that building just before the new high school was built) In 1960 the building will be much too crowded with 1110 pupils. So a new junior high school is needed for the fall of 1959. The senior high school is adequate for 1957 and 1958. Its capacity is 1300 pupils. In 1959 (with 4 grades) there will be 1380 pupils and so it will be over- crowded and short three classrooms, (This, plus the junior high shortage, equals a total shortage of 8 or 9 rooms. ) In 1960 the high school would be adequate without grade 9.433 Iumix In 1961 the high school building will be approaching capacity of 1300 without grade 9. (estimate 1140) See Table VII for 12-year Projection for Secondary Schools Enrollments. The unknowns are mostly private schools and a possible pajochial school. See two sheets on "Proposed Five Year Building Program," especially the one marked "Revised, January 15th, 1,957 Mrs. Marek suggested that instead of appropriating for preliminary plane for the new junior high building in March Town Meeting the School Committee might ask for money for an architect and complete plans so that the building could be bid on just before Town Meeting in 1958. This plan must be checked with Mr. Stevens and the State. Funds for complete plans for adding to Maria Hastings end Harrington Schools will be requested in March, 1957 Maria Hastings needs more rooms and the present facilities can take four more rooms. The building committee is still active. The need at Harrington is not so great but the addition would provide a cushion. Mr Cole (architect) estimates $100,000 for adding 4 rooms to Maria Hastings. Mr Ericson (architect) estimates $112,000 for adding 4 rooms to Harrington. Since the new junior high building is needed for the fall of 1959 the School Committee did want to appropriate for this next fall - 1957. However, with definite plans appropriated for in 1957 the building could be appropriated for at the March Town Meeting of 1958. The definite plans to cost about $75,000. The complete new school to cost about $2,000,000. In the fall of 1957 the School Committee plans to request appropriation for adding to Maria Hastings and Harrington -- $230,000. In March 1958 the Committee plans to request $2,000,000 (less $75,000 equals $1,925,000) for the new junior high building. In the fall of 1958 they plan to ask for complete plans for a new elementary school ($50,000) In 1959 they plan to ask for an appropriation for the new elementary school at March Town Meeting; cost -- $800,000 (12, - 16 rooms). At the Annual Town Meeting in 1960 they plan to request a study appropria- tion for secondary school needs beyond grade 12. There is expected to be a lot of pressure for a two-year junior college about ten years from now. In 1961 there may be a request for an appropriation for a secondary school construction -- $2,000,000, SCHOOL COMMITTEE - Jan 14, 1957 (cont ) page 3 Mr Brown pointed out that it is better to over-estimate than under. The School Committee has never asked for more than it spent. (In contrast, the Public Works Department always over-estimates ) Perhaps better to put in a construction appropriation in 1960. Mrs. Marek said such construction could have kindergartens in mind. Mr. Smith suggested that the School Committee add a request for elementary school construction ($800,000) for Town Meeting in 1960 -- for kindergartens or possible population increase; this school to be ready for 1962. Therefore add request for plans in the fall of 1959 $50,000 -- cost of plans. The School Committee is recommending a School Building Committee as a permanent town committee with a revolving membership (to replace temporary committees for each school building). Mr. Brown reported that the town tax rate is going to continue to go up, but it is better for it to rise in an orderly way. He pointed out that new industry along route 128 would not help the tax rate during the first five years if the town has to put in water and sewer there. On a long-term basis the tax rate might be helped. Mr. Steele asked about the acquisition of play areas -- but this is now a function of the Planning Board. The Capital Expenditures Committee then left to meet with the Planning Board.