Salem School District Phase Two Elementary Schools Renovations

Two years ago I supported the Salem’s School District’s plan to renovate the six elementary schools. Phase One of the project is complete and from what I can tell a huge improvement and a huge success. 

I was all set to vote and campaign in favor of the proposed Phase Two of the renovation plan.  But that all when out the window twi weeks ago. When I heard and read Salem School Committee member Bernie Campbell’s presentation to change the plan from a six school plan to a five school plan due to declining enrollment predictions over the next four years.  The following information was taken from Campbell’s presentation.

According to the enrollment projections the school year commencing in 2016, K-5 enrollment is expected to drop to 1,440 students. To put this in perspective we are currently at 1,734 students. If these projections hold true that means a reduction of 294 students by 2016. The population of the Haigh school is 219 students, so the student loss over the next five years is greater that the entire student population of the Haigh School.

Regardless of renovation of the Haigh School, we will not be able to provide equity to all the Haigh students in the areas of library size, space and configuration along with gymnasium and PE facilities. This is because the Haigh School lot is very small and limited for renovations. Also there’s no access to municipal sewer.

The district can achieve significant savings in operation by eliminating the Haigh School. Basically we can pay for the needed renovations through operational savings once the school is closed over the life of the bond for the Phase Two renovation plan.

Many of you may be wondering where the students that are currently in the Haigh district will go. The five school renovation plan requires that the Lancaster and the Barron schools go through another small renovation to accommodate these students.  These renovations are small and would save money compared to the cost of the full renovation of the Haigh School.

I know the Haigh School family would like and demand that their school be renovated and kept open. But the cost savings that can be reached under the five school plan could pay for most or all of the Phase Two renovation Project. 

With the need of renovations to Woodbury Middle school and Salem High School I call on you to contact the members of the Salem School board and ask them to reconsider the five school renovation plan because the savings over the life of the bond is about $20 million and that money could be used for renovating our middle or high schools, which are in need of significant renovations as well.

This plan makes sense based on the anticipated attendance projections as well as the cost savings by planning appropriately for our community’s future needs. This is a time to spend our money wisely and also take into consideration future needs of all our students district wide and I believe going forward with the five school plan achieves that goal.