School facilities study dominates discussion at board work session
Does the Staples-Motley School District need another facility study?
The short answer appears to be “Yes,” but the method and timing issues caused considerable discussion at the school board’s work session Oct. 3.
Superintendent Mary Klamm would like to get started with the process. She invited David Drown of David Drown Associates to explain how they work with NJPA (National Joint Powers Alliance).
Drown said NJPA has contracted with his company to provide services to their area. Financial consulting for cities and counties is his firm’s area of expertise. They are expanding into more school work. The advantage to the school district, he said, is that NJPA will pay half of the fees, which could be considerable savings.
Klamm also had two more points in favor of doing a study now. She said facility funding is changing and becoming friendlier for school districts. Also, the bond debt currently held by the school will be done by 2021.
“This is an opportune time,” she said.
“Why can’t we use the data we already have and just have them add the financials?” asked Bryan Winkels.
Winkels was referring to a facility use study that began in the fall of 2014 and was completed in the spring of 2015. The committee included board members, teachers, administrators and community members who met several times in large and small group sessions. It was accepted at the board’s April 2015 meeting with the idea of evaluating the recommendations.
Klamm said that study would definitely be part of the new one, but that they needed to look at how the buildings were being used now.
She was referring to the Re-Start program begun this fall which moved all students in grades K-3 to the elementary building in Staples, all students in grades 4-7 for middle school in the Motley building, and all students in grades 8-12 to the high school in Staples.
“There are pieces in each building that don’t meet the needs of the students who are there,” Klamm said.
Roy DiGiovanni said there would always be issues and that he thought it was too soon to evaluate the impact of the change.
“We’re only a month into the school year,” he said.
Chad Longbella expressed frustration that, even if the facilities committee had discussed the possibility of a study, “it is new to us as a board. We have not spoken as a board.”
Longbella mentioned other issues and decisions that showed a lack of communication that frustrated him, such as student data reports the board used to see that have not been presented the last couple of years.
“What do you hope to get out of a facility utilization study?” Winkels asked.
n how it is delivered,” Klamm replied and noted that the buildings were set for they way things were done 20 and even 50 years ago.
“How can we make our structures work for our kids in the future? There are opportunities for growth in our communities. We compete very well in what we offer inside, but there are issues in how the buildings look,” Klamm said.
As an example, Mary Freeman said the room they were sitting in (the library/media center in Motley) was outdated, adding that there were better ways to access information, especially nonfiction, than books on a shelf.
Klamm also said they have no room to add students, no room for growth.
DiGiovanni pointed out that in the past they had 350 more students in the same buildings.
“We use rooms differently than we used to,” she said, adding later that all rooms at the elementary school are being used.
Winkels acknowledged that three buildings contribute to a high plant and maintenance cost.
Longbella replied that the cost per square foot was the same whether in three buildings or one.
“The board has to decide how much the board wants to spend,” Longbella said. “Just to spend money to talk is not where I want to go.”
“Me, either,” agreed DiGiovanni.
“I totally agree with you,” Winkels said.
Dave Hoemberg said the previous facility study concluded the buildings were in good shape.
“What’s the urgency?” he asked.
Freeman replied that job growth in the community drives the urgency, noting jobs being added at Stern Rubber, Lakewood Health System and NJPA. She also mentioned the new hotel and housing being built in Staples that shows others are planning for the future.
“The community is planning for growth. If we sit on our hands, these kids won’t come. If (the growth) happens and we didn’t plan for it, then shame on us,” she said.
The board continued to discuss how to proceed and decided to start with the previous study and seek input on each building from the principals, food service director, activities director, buildings and grounds supervisor and head custodians.
Hoemberg suggested a needs list and maybe a “want” list.
“I’m asking, who is going to do it?” Freeman asked. “We need a method to work toward a goal.”
It was eventually decided that the facilities committee will meet with those named to gather the information. Hoemberg and Bruce Lund, who was not at the work session, are the board members on that committee. Another work session will be scheduled when their report is complete.
The student achievement data will be presented at the regular board meeting Oct. 17.
