Board Of Education Assigns Priorities To CIP

By Laurie Borst

When the Board of Education met on September 19, board member David Nanavaty surprised the rest of the board and the handful of audience members with a change in his opinion on the priorities for the first year of the current Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

For weeks the board has been deadlocked regarding the prioritization of the Hawley HVAC project and the High School Expansion project. While the Hawley project addresses serious heating and cooling issues and has had some funds spent, the high school has received a warning from NEASC, the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. If overcrowding issues are not addressed, the high school could be put on probation and possibly lose its accreditation.

Mr Nanavaty’s change of heart came after he attended the high school’s open house on September 14.

“While my wife and I didn’t have to park a quarter mile away and hike to the high school, and the halls didn’t seem that crowded with parents, it dawned on me the we need to make some improvement to the high school,” Mr Nanavaty reported.

“Although I still believe Hawley is an important, viable project, I am willing to end this stalemate, for lack of a better word, with the following understanding: We want to build the high school expansion for 2,137 students. It’s a realistic number,” Mr Nanavaty continued.

Referring to the last high school expansion, which was during the mid 90s, Mr Nanavaty cited an initial enrollment projection of 1,354 students in 2005. Those involved at the time pushed for an addition to accommodate 1,600.

“Had they not built an addition for 1,600 students,” Mr Nanavaty stated, “would we have been in trouble, to the tune of 400 students, in 2005. We think it’s bad now. So I’m willing to put my vote behind the high school expansion provided it’s for 2,137.”

A motion was made to list the high school expansion project as number one on the CIP and list the Hawley project as number two. The motion was put to a vote and passed 4-2. Voting in favor along with Mr Nanavaty were Board Chair Elaine McClure, Vice Chair Lisa Schwartz, and board member Tom Gissen. Board members Andrew Buzzi and Paul Mangiafico maintained their stance that the Hawley project should be number one priority.

 

Superintendent’s Report

Prior to the CIP discussion and vote, Dr Evan Pitkoff also presented his report.

According to the school superintendent’s figures, school enrollment is up by 43 students, with total enrollment at 5,690. High school enrollment is 1,717; middle school, 889; Reed, 910; Hawley, 432; Head O’ Meadow, 475; Middle Gate, 516; and Sandy Hook, 672. Sixty students are enrolled in the district’s preschool program and 19 students are attending the magnet school in Danbury.

Dr Pitkoff also reported that adjustments are being made to the bus routes, particularly Bus #5 on the first tier and, on the second tier, four buses are at maximum capacity: Bus numbers 2, 14, 23, and 28. The transportation department, he added, is continuing to address the issue.

Perhaps the biggest news that Dr Pitkoff announced is the retirement of Building and Grounds Supervisor Dominick Posca. “This is a tremendous loss to the system,” said Dr Pitkoff. “Dom will be an extremely tough act to follow.”