Present: T. Koenig, S. Heinrich, D. Miller, W. Morrison, and B. Triolo. M. Morrison arrived late. R. Walker, MHS Guidance director was also in attendance.

S. Heinrich called the meeting to order at 7:37 P.M. The committee spent a few minutes reviewing the summary of the high school tour. S. Heinrich noted that the sole item on the agenda was a work session on high school space needs.

R. Walker gave the committee copies of a report on the impact of moving the ninth grade to the middle school. This report was a compilation of comments from each department head (except PE) on this suggestion. He told the committee that department heads had given both positives and negatives of this idea. He noted that there is a difference in the educational philosophy between a middle school and a junior high. He commented that the major concerns regarding moving the ninth grade seem to be teacher certification, student behavior and teacher expectations, and curriculum issues, such as books and equipment. (M. Morrison arrived during this discussion.)

R. Walker went over the master schedule and explained the various terms used. He noted that the standard seems to indicate that 85% use is considered full occupancy.

D. Miller asked R. Walker what his unbiased opinion of the high school space situation was. R. Walker replied that the committee needs to be cautious of thinking just of dollars. He suggested that the committee look long range, not just a band-aid approach to the current problem. He also wanted to be sure that the committee considered all areas of the high school (Special Education, Offices, Storage, labs, multi purpose areas) and not just science or art space. He requested that the committee look at what is best for the educational needs of the students, not just what is cheapest.

T. Koenig asked for an explanation of the balancing page in the master schedule. It was discussed that this page as well as Alvirne/Nashua Vocational Program figures are somewhat deceiving. T. Koenig noted that the School Board has aksed the committee for an assessment of the situation and further asked R. Walker his opinion on if and how much overcrowded the high school is, given the current faculty and curriculum. R. Walker said he thought the school was beyond "max."

M. Morrison asked how long before the district reaches "critical mass." R. Walker suggested that Jim O'Neil be consulted on this issue.

W. Morrison thanked R. Walker for compiling and presenting critical information to the committee. He then suggested that the committee needs to decide if there is a space problem.

S. Heinrich polled the committee and each member agreed that if there is not a space problem currently, there will be within a few years.

W. Morrison now suggested that the committee should look at ways to address the problem.

S. Heinrich stated that the committee should look at both the short and long term. He noted that this might not be exactly what the School Board wanted, but was the purpose of the committee.

B. Triolo stated that the School Board should be inviting the committee to be a working part of the problem solving process.

T. Koenig stated that if the committee looks at anything longer than three years, it will need to look at demographics. The committee discussed how long of a time range they should be looking: 3, 5, or 10 years.

B. Triolo wanted to be sure that the committee looked at high school needs and the district needs that may result from any proposed solutions.

W. Morrison suggested that the committee organize the various materials they have received thus far. He again stated that the committee look beyond just classroom space.

M. Morrison stated that the School Board asked the committee to define the problem, not come up with solutions.

S. Heinrich stated that the charge is short-sighted and the committee can go beyond the charge.

W. Morrison stated the committee has completed the first step in the process which is to agree that there is a space problem. The next step is to determine the scope of the problem and the committee is currently working on that. Finally, the scope of the problem leads to suggesting a range of potential solutions.

M. Morrison noted that the committee needs to be an integral part of the process.

A member of the audience, Evan Fulmer, asked the committee to expand their base to include the entire district. He felt that input from the rest of the district schools about how the various solutions would impact them should be considered.

S. Heinrich replied that the committee could limit its report to the high school but be mindful of the domino effect on other schools.

B. Triolo stated that the committee can give a broad answer.

S. Heinrich noted that the committee can show what information it has and ask what other information might be needed to come up with solutions.

W. Morrison suggested that the committee break the problem up into parts and present a phased approach to each solution. He suggested the breakdown should be immediate situation, near term situation, and long term situation.

B. Triolo noted that there are no options for the immediate situation. The high school has already completed the master schedule for fall, 1998.

W. Morrison would like the committee to figure out what is needed and how to accomplish this.

M. Morrison stated that, if the committee defines the current needs and short term situation, that will drive the solution.

W. Morrison noted that satisfying the School Board charge is only part of what the PBC does.

D. Miller asked that the committee be polled as to why the felt the high school had a space problem. He started by stating that educational philosophy has changed in the last few years which has changed how school space is used and how many people can use what space there is. He felt some current uses/programs might be located elsewhere. He specifically referenced special education, school offices, storage, and MEEP.

T. Koenig noted that moving some of the programs D. Miller suggested might gain a net of five to eight classrooms. He felt the committee needs to determine how much space is needed. He noted that the high school program has expanded beyond what the original building was intended for. He also noted that, with the current growth in town, the space needs are going to be higher than what the space needs committee projected in their December 1995 report. While he agreed space is needed, he wants the committee to determine what space is needed so the district will still be able to offer a good education. He also questioned what curriculum the district really needs to offer. Additionally, he wanted to know at what capacity the school would be maxed. He noted that space cannot be scheduled 100%. He felt the solution will be determined by finding out how much of what type of space will be needed when and what curriculum tradeoffs might be needed to reasonably accomplish this.

S. Heinrich noted that the committee needs to balance the needs of all. He felt that the problem is not just classrooms. He felt that removing such things as MEEP and district library offices may relieve but will not eliminate the overall problem. He also noted that, not only is additional space needed, but many areas of the school need to be modernized. He asked the committee its opinion about building space to meet a future need which might be empty for a few years.

B. Triolo felt that the high school has space needs in all areas. He again noted the need to consider the whole district, not just the high school. He felt building space for future needs was prudent.

M. Morrison said that in the near future, the school will be bursting. Removing the district library office and MEEP to squeeze out five classrooms will not solve the problem. He wants to be sure that the committee comes up with a long term solution. He noted that the School Board needs to make long term decisions. He also noted that any space built would be somehow used rather than left empty. He. wanted to be sure that, if the committee presents a five-year plan, it will be five years from when the solution is done.

W. Morrison noted that, when the current additions were proposed they were supposed to meet space needs for three years, but the first of the three years was the construction year. He also noted a difference between space being utilized and fully utilized.

It was decided to meet on Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30 P.M. to prepare for meeting with the School Board and determine the plan of action on the space needs issue.

On a motion from S. Heinrich, seconded by B. Triolo, the committee unanimously voted to adjourn at 10:10 P.M.

Last Updated: August 09, 1998 by Wayne Morrison