NHS District discusses building project
Public would vote in December
By John Zornow

A facilities review process that began last April was discussed at a meeting Monday night at the high school.

There to answer questions from the 35 or so residents were School Superintendent Robert Christmann, Business Manager Robert Fogel, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum Henry Hahn.

In April, the Board of Education authorized Christmann to develop a capital project that would meet the needs of the district on a long-term basis. Twenty-four community residents, including school administrators, members of the community, and parents, served on an advisory committee. The commitee came up with 15 long-term space solutions based upon wants and musts as criteria.

The committee narrowed its focus to two possible solutions, from which the Superintendent selected one to present to the school board. Since 1985, the Newark Central School District has made several attempts to seek voter approval to solve district-wide space needs. Space is tight following a moderately increasing enrollment, plus changes in program requirements, including the addition of special programs, and the desire to implement a full-day kindergarten program.

Christmann said that sub]standard space at several of the schools has interfered with instruction of students. For example, all classrooms at the middle school are about 660 square feet, where 770 square feet is the ideal size.

Committee Guidelines

MUSTS

1. No school can be closed to students.

2. All relocatable classrooms must be eliminated as necessary.

3. The closed Roosevelt Building must not be considered for purchase as a school.

4. Any plan must address the needs of library media services, physical education, athletics, community recreation and the arts.

WANTS

1. BOCES classrooms - if determined that these would financially benefit the school district. BOCES involvement in the project is educationally positive.

2. District offices moved to a school.

3. A plan which would not have a separate early childhood center housing Pre-K and kindergarten.

4. A new location for the maintenance department, which is currently located in the High School.

5. A plan that maximizes state aid to benefit the taxpayers.

In addition, there needs to be at least three grades per building for continuity. Due to safety concerns, K-2 should not be assigned to the current middle school.

Recommendation from the Superintendent

Lincoln - Grades K-2 with a possibility of Pre-K

Perkins - Grades K-2 with a possibility of Pre-K

Kelley - Changed to grades 6-8 with additional classrooms built to replace the relocatables (to house the District Office, and to assist with physical education needs).

Middle School - To grades 3-5 with smaller than standard classrooms remodeled to be 770 square feet.

High School - Grades 9-12 with classrooms built to expand student opportunities in music, art, technology, science, and library media services.

Christmann said a cost estimate for the project has not been developed, because the idea is still in the developmental stage. Even without BOCES involvement, state aid for this kind of project is 90.8 percent. All the work being done now under the maintenance and renovation project will not be affected, according to the Superintendent.

Timeline

October 14, special board meeting; building proposition being only subject discussed.

October 21, decisions on facilities plan for implementation.

November 15, Superintendent prepares necessary information for community referendum.

December 15, Referendum.

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