NHS Expansion/

Academy Study Planned

By Larissa Lytwyn

Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff announced the administration’s intent to establish a 12-member High School Expansion/Academy Study Committee during the school board’s December 2 meeting.

“We are looking to have a place for between 400 to 500 students beyond the approximately 1,600 high school students we currently serve,” Dr Pitkoff said. “These figures are based on projections over a ten-year period.”

The committee will be operated in a similar fashion to last year’s Climate Control Committee and the currently meeting School Start Time Committee.

“We want to find out what our options are,” Dr. Pitkoff said, “ranging from the kind of educational programs to provide to the location.”

The administration is considering a location, tentatively dubbed “Fairfield Academy,” at the Fairfield Hills site.

“I have asked school board members to consider approaching people with a background in architecture, engineering, real estate, and legal issues they may know,” said Dr Pitkoff. “Hopefully, the committee will begin meeting in January.”

In addition to the committee’s approximately dozen members, Dr Pitkoff, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Alice Jackson, Director of Finance Ron Bienkowski, and Maintenance Director Dom Posca will serve as ex officio members of the panel.

“It will be good to draw from the diverse expertise that is available in this community,” said Dr Pitkoff.