Is Mansfield ready for a single elementary school?

State reimbursement favors new construction

The possibility of closing the existing three elementary schools was put on the table for discussion because it could bring the town the largest amount of state reimbursement.

Lawrence noted that the state has strict guidelines about what aspects of school projects are reimbursable. Renovating an existing school brings in the least amount of support. And in Mansfield's case, where the schools are considered by the state to already exceed the amount of square footage needed to meet the needs of its students, the picture is even less favorable.

The four options put to the meeting for discussion included:

- Option A - simply repair and maintain the elementary and middle schools as needed over the next 20 years, which would include such things a replacing roofs, maintaining aging heating/hot water systems, making technology and accessibility upgrades such as installing a new ADA* compliant elevator, and adding solar panels. This was referred to as the "unplanned" option. And the estimated cost for this approach is $33.8 million. Of this, about $25 million would have to be paid for by the town.

- Option B - completely renovate the three elementary schools with limited additions and renovate the middle school. The estimated cost for this approach is about $95 million, of which $51 million would be paid by the town

- Option C - completely renovate two elementary schools with full additions - and close one of the elementary schools, and renovate the middle school. The cost of this approach is estimated to be $84.3 million, of which the town would pay $45 million.

- Option D - build one new elementary school (close the existing schools) and renovate the middle school. The estimated cost for this project would be $74 million, and the town's cost would be $21 million.

One audience member, George Fox, said the list should include an Option E, which would be to build three new elementary schools next to the existing schools, since new construction gets a higher reimbursement from the state.

Comparing apples to oranges

Several speakers argued that the cost estimates left out several important elements, thus making them not really comparable.

For example, to build a new school would require buying land - not included in the estimate.

And the three closed school buildings would have to be maintained or converted to a new use or possibly sold, also not factored into this option.

Also, the estimate for a single new school does not include projected maintenance costs, they noted.

Mansfield Director of Facilities William Hammond, answering questions about the conditions at the existing schools, said that going with "unplanned" Option A would have its problems.

"The boilers are about 20 years old... we can keep them running, but the part that bothers me is the pipes in the walls - they are 60 years old, they are the original pipes," he said.

If the pipes should freeze and break in the walls during the winter, that school would have to be shut down for extensive repairs, not to mention the water damage that would be created.

There is no insulation in some of the school walls, he added.

And there is no system for bringing in fresh air. When the schools were originally built, "ventilation" consisted of sucking air up through the school which would force outside  air to come in through openings alongside the windows or other areas of the school. In the interests of keeping energy costs down, however, all those "leaks" have been plugged, Hammond said.

The current maintenance budget is about $50,000, he said, which puts some repairs completely out of reach. For example, the divider doors in the middle school gym are 20 years old and it would cost $35,000 to $40,000 to replace them. And because the door motors are 20 years old, parts are not available when they need repair. "We have to have parts made," he said.

One gym, not three; one library, not three

There was more discussion about savings that could result from a single, modern elementary school such as having only one library, one gymnasium and one cafeteria.

There also would be the option of reducing the number of bus runs, although some parents in the audience objected to putting 8th graders and 1st graders on the same buses.

Mayor Betsy Paterson noted that she agreed "philosophically" with many of the concerns that were raised about sending children to one large school, but noted that when school projects are put to a vote, "the vote goes to the whole community," so that if this group wants the project to go a certain way, it needs to work hard to make sure its supporters get to the polls.

"Whatever option we choose, we will put the children's welfare first," she added.

How the decision will be made

Responding to questions about the timeframe for making a decision on one of these options, Lawrence said the original goal was to bring it to a referendum vote with the November elections, but the School Building Committee has asked that there be more time for discussion.

It is the School Building Committee that will make a final choice from the options and then bring that recommendation to the Town Council and the Board of Education. The Town Council will then be the body to decide whether to bring the project to a referendum vote on bonding.

Lawrence added that the cost estimates presented at this meeting are based on submitting the project to the state no later than June 30, 2009 - after which the rate of reimbursement is subject to change.

(* ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act )