Region 13 Faces Some Tough Decisions On School Buildings

DURHAM/MIDDLEFIELD, CT — Region 13 Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Veronesi recently updated the Board of Education on the preliminary findings from Silver Petrucelli concerning enrollment projections.

Their report included the projected enrollment through 2026-2027 that illustrates the enrollment decrease from 1649 (current) to 1403 in 10 years. Pre-k through grade 2 enrollment shows a slight decrease of 20 students, 3-5 stays stable, 6-8 decreases from a projected 418 next year to 352 in 10 years and 9-12 shows a decrease from the current enrollment of 531 to a projected enrollment of 379 in 10 years.

The grade configurations noted about were used as a starting point for projected building capacity given
Veronesi’s suggestion for maximizing student learning given the building space and viable options, according to meeting minutes.

In this scenario there would be a need for additional classrooms at Brewster School. All other school
buildings would not need alterations/renovations to accommodate the projected student population. The
high school classroom size is below current recommendations by 100 square feet. CRHS classrooms are
690 square feet with recommended square footage for the high school being 850-900 square feet.

Discussion was held regarding the use of available space in the high school and making use of temporary
options including portables in order to decrease necessary funding, closing another school building as
soon as possible and working towards a permanent solution over time, meeting minutes state.

Concerns were raised relative to the two-program design and the availability of choice for parents and families in the district. Veronesi indicated that educational visioning for the future would begin with a group of school staff and would be open to the public and other teachers to attend and add input.

She expressed the difficulty of making the best educational decision for students within the context of using existing space in the short-term and expressed caution in making a decision that is intended to be for the short-term but becomes a long-term solution.

Mr. Moore talked about the need to create building space especially at the high school level that supports our academic vision for the future and encourages students who may opt for private, magnet and vocational schools to stay in the district.

Regarding the concern about sustaining a two program design in the district, Veronesi felt that we
have an obligation to meet the pressing economic needs and we should see this as an opportunity to
refocus on the future.

In particular, she noted that inherent in an effective educational approach is the presence of student choice, authentic learning, the development of student voice, support of the arts in a district where visual and performing arts are valued, and the integration of curriculum as this is practical and best in terms of student learning. She also talked about the positive impact of maintaining a HOT school model.