Phase 2 Renovations A Necessity for Salem

Phase 2 is a continuation of the Facility Master Plan of the Salem School District.  The plan began with Phase 1, a fiscally conservative model to renovate the first three elementary schools:  Barron, Lancaster, and North Salem.  The plan is working, and it’s an incredible value for the money.  We have three adequate, safe, and secure schools that will last 40-50 years. 

If you walk through a Phase 1 school, you will not see furniture stored in the hallways, reading classes in closets, and OT in storage rooms, as they once were.  You will not see class in a bus port, as it is currently at Soule School; in a stairwell landing, as it currently is at Fisk; or in a cafeteria, as it currently is at Haigh.  You will also not see any kids in PE class in a cafeteria. 

What you will see at Phase 1 schools are bright, modern buildings that have adequate classroom spaces, separate gyms that allow kids to run laps and provide adequate flooring for physical activity, appropriate nurse space for sick children, security capability at all entrances, sprinklers in the classrooms, and safe floor tiles that DON’T contain asbestos.  New HVAC infrastructure provides for better air quality, lower noise levels, and more energy efficiency.  The bottom line is that three of our schools now have a safer environment that enables concentration and learning by mitigating distraction, and boosts the educational experience of children, staff and parents beyond what could have been imagined.  The proof is there - three adequate schools, completed on time and within budget.  Now there are three more left to do.

Phase 1 and Phase 2 are part of the same plan.  The same deficiencies are addressed, and by the same architects.  Phase 2 was the intention of the facilities committee, the school board, and the community when the Facility Master Plan was developed two years ago and Kindergarten was implemented.  Many plans were looked at, but this is the one that received support.  Not approving Phase 2 will only delay renovations to all of our schools and cost taxpayers more over time.  Right now, construction costs are still low, and bond rates are at an unprecedented low.   It’s a cost-effective plan, and a wise investment that will pay high dividends, just like Phase 1.   We can buy low, and the results are proven. 

Everyone who supported this last time should support it again.  Phase 1 school parents should support it because they have gone through the renovations and see the direct benefit.  Phase 2 parents should support it for the obvious reasons.  ALL parents should support it because it keeps us on track with renovating ALL of our schools in the most prompt and cost-effective manner.  EVERYONE should support it because it will save money over time, attract young families, and contribute to rising property values and a more economically vital community.  Without support from every part of this community, Phase 1 schools would not be renovated today.  It was a team effort.  Now we ALL need to go to the polls again to support Phase 2.

Sticking to the plan is what will get us where we need to go more quickly and reasonably.  This is the most cost-effective it’s ever going to be, and fixing our buildings is inevitable.  We need to vote YES on March 13 to secure the future of this community.  For more information, visit SOSsalemNH.org.