Not our school

WEST BATH

A study of Regional School Unit 1’s elementary school facilities has drawn emotional responses from residents and parents who fear the loss of their small community schools and the “institutionalization” of large, combined schools.

At West Bath School Monday night, RSU 1 Superintendent Patrick Manuel and Facilities Director Dave Richards presented an overview of an elementary school feasibility study, undertaken by architecture and engineering firm Harriman Associates in Auburn.

The RSU’s elementary schools are aging, built in a period between 1953 and 1963. Essential facilities issues are currently being addressed at the schools, but Richards estimated the dated buildings will require approximately $7.18 million in repair and maintenance costs during the next 10 years.

“The (school) board wanted to see if we’re being as effective and efficient as we can be,” said Manuel. “Harriman is an outside consulting firm … they are presenting options — they’re not recommendations, they’re options.”

RSU 1 operates four elementary schools: Fisher- Mitchell School, serving grades 3-5, and Dike-Newell School, serving grades K-2 in Bath; Phippsburg Elementary School, serving grades K-5; and West Bath School, serving grades K-5.

With 1,182 Pre-K and elementary students enrolled, the RSU has a school-choice program allowing students to attend non-neighborhood schools, space permitting. Approximately one-third of students at West Bath School are school choice students.

Additionally, the recently built Woolwich Central School serves grades K-8, but was not referred to as one of the four elementary schools in the Harriman report.

The report did not discuss Pre-K programs in RSU1 schools, other than to note that Dike-Newell School has a Pre-K classroom. Manuel added that there are currently 87 Pre-K students at Dike- Newell, 14 at Phippsburg Elementary and 16 at Woolwich Central.

Built during the post- World War II construction surge, Richards said the schools were designed to last 30 to 50 years.

The most common issues, Richards said, were a lack of storage at the schools, poor air passage throughout the buildings and that the old classrooms are not fitted with outlets to meet modern technological needs.

In general, some schools require upgrades to their heating systems, while some need roof work, replacement of vinyl asbestos tiles, replacement of old windows or additional parking.

The report lists five options for possible elementary school configuration, which look at the ramifications of closing either West Bath School, Phippsburg Elementary School or Fisher Mitchell School; closing all four schools and building a new central K-5 school; or maintaining all current facilities.

Approximately 30 residents and parents of students at West Bath School attended, voicing their overwhelming preference that West Bath School remain open. On May 28, the study was presented at Phippsburg Elementary School, and dates are scheduled for presentations at Bath’s Fisher- Mitchell School and Woolwich Central School.

In Phippsburg, Manuel said nearly 50 attendees there also voiced a desire to see their school stay open, with many saying that the elementary school was one of the primary reasons behind their decision to live in Phippsburg.

“We had parents come up to us and say they had heard that Phippsburg Elementary School was going to close or West Bath School was going to close,” Manuel said, adding that the meetings are meant to gather information for the school board “so they can hear how you feel about exploring possibly being more efficient in our elementary school configuration.”

“If we hear ‘do nothing’ loud and clear, that’s what we’ll bring back to the board,” he said.

Despite the maintenance required — residents noted that overall West Bath School was in good condition and highlighted the importance of the school to the community, praising the sense of community within the school.

“It is the community’s heart,” said one resident of West Bath. “There’s no downtown, so it’s the school.”

Another resident said, “I know every kiddo in the school … and they know my name, and the teachers do too,” adding that at a large, combined school, she didn’t think that would be possible.

To a parent who asked Manuel which option he thought was preferable, Manuel said, “There wasn’t one that I looked at and thought, ‘That’s the one,’” adding that as a former principal he highly values small community schools.

Manuel said he expects to hear most parents endorse option five — to keep the existing configuration of schools — despite possible cost savings in the other options.

To discuss the Harriman report, a public meeting will take place at Fisher-Mitchell School in Bath at 6:30 p.m. June 10 and at Woolwich Central School at 6 p.m. June 12.

On June 10, voters in the RSU 1 member towns of Arrowsic, Bath, Phippsburg, West Bath and Woolwich will go to the polls to approve a proposed $28.3 million school budget for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

rgargiulo@timesrecord.com

Share this: