By KAREN RICE
The school board discussed five separate options that each could solve the school's overcrowding, the building's need for repairs, or both.
One of the most intriguing proposals, called Option 5, would involve a private company building a new middle school on school district land and then leasing the new building to the district for 30 years. After 30 years, the school district could make a lease purchase for a nominal price, according to Richard Braverman, school board president. This option, which has been done in the City of Niagara Falls, may also save the school district and taxpayers money because a single contractor is able to save time and, thus, the cost of inflation that could ensue during a lengthy building process, Braverman said.
For instance, if a building can be built in one year instead of two, about 4 percent on interest could be saved, according to Braverman, and 4 percent of a $30 million bill would amount to $1.2 million in savings.
This is certainly the most unique of the options, Braverman said. If it can be done, it saves the taxpayers a considerable amount of money. A single contractor is able to save time . . . The faster you get it done the more you save.
Last June 18, opponents voted down a $39.5 million bond issue which would have funded construction of a new middle school, the third time since March 2000 a plan for a new middle school was defeated. Since then, the school board has discussed what can be done to improve the middle school's conditions but has yet to decide on any definite course of action, said Stephanie Gould, school board trustee.
We have done nothing for the middle school community at this point and we have to remember that, Gould said. At this point, we are gaining information that we have to consider.
Gould favored Option 2B, which would fix the core areas of the building, such as the cafeteria and the gym, and would later add an addition to the school. She felt the board must act quickly because the school's conditions will only get worse. We should repair the building and then do an addition, Gould said. The more you allow the building to deteriorate the more problems you will have.
Trustee Stephanie Gallo agreed that time is of the essence. The truth is, right now, [the solution has to] be something that's as fast as we can do it, Gallo said.
The school, built to accommodate about 590 students, now has about 870 students enrolled. Currently, many students attend classes in portable classrooms located behind the building to help ease the overcrowding problem. The building also needs curtain wall and roof repairs, which should include repairing the ventilation system, the ceilings and the lighting, according to Denise Sheridan, director of school facilities and operations.
Aside from Option 2B, there is Option 2 and Option 2A. Option 2 would consider first building a classroom addition to the school and would then renovate the core area in back of the school, leaving the front for another purpose or to be torn down. Option 2A would involve the school board first going to the public to approve a new classroom addition and, about four years later, the board would go back and ask residents to approve the cost of renovations. The four-year gap is intended to spread the cost out and make it easier for residents to swallow, according to Dr. Charles Fowler, superintendent of schools. However, some board members felt that four years is too long to wait to deal with the current overcrowding.
Option 1 would be to build a new middle school, addressing the need for better building conditions and the overcrowding issues. This still looks like it could be the best option, according to trustee Robert Jay, board trustee. [Option] Number One was the right thing to do and still is, Jay said.
Option 3 would involve repairing the existing building's main problems, such as the curtain wall, roof and crawl space, but does not truly address the school's overcrowding problem, Fowler said.
Option 4 would involve relocating many of the students to deal with the overcrowding problem. One preliminary plan would move the pre-K students from the Franklin Early Childhood Center to the Woodmere Education Center; the second graders from Ogden Elementary School to the Franklin Early Childhood Center; and the sixth graders from Woodmere Middle School to Ogden Elementary School and Hewlett Elementary School, Fowler said. This arrangement would leave only the seventh and eighth graders in Woodmere Middle School but could disrupt the entire educational process, Braverman said. [Option 4] has the added disadvantage of dismantling the best educational set-up for a child. That's not what we're about. We're about providing the best education for our kids.
Russel Davidson, architect of KG&D, is expected to meet with the board to discuss phasing, rehabilitation and cost options and estimates. The board does not want to make any decisions until it has examined all the options in order to decide on the best course of action for the middle school community.
I have to see all the facts, Braverman said. After I see the facts, I'll have an option I favor.
