2001-11-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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198 Dr. William Symons, Superintendent of Schools, stressed that the economic problem is driving the decision. Mr. Hutchinson noted that even ifa deciSion was made to renovate Jefferson School for the pre-school program, the students would still have to be moved in the interim. Dr. Symons agreed that relocating to the elementary schools is inevitable either in the short or long-term. Mr. Merriwether said the School Board had discussed the possibility of the City floating a bond to pay for the renovations at Jefferson. Mr. Caravati said the City already floats bonds to pay for School capital projects, and it is a question oft~g. Mr. Merriwether asked if children would go to the elementary schools in the district where they live if the program is relocated, and Ms. Arletta Dimberg, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, said that the majority would, but it could not be guaranteed that all would. Ms. Linda Bowen, School Board member, asked what the cost would be to move the pre-school program intact to one school, and Mr. Hutchinson said that would not be possible without displacing the existing students. Ms. Muriel Wiggins, School Board member, said she does not think the plan proposed by the staff is viable, and feels that once you put the children in the elementary schools you will never get them back. Ms. Wiggins said the experience at Jefferson School is what makes it work, and it cannot be replicated at the elementary schools. Ms. Wiggins said it is a site based operation and oversight will be lost. Mr. Lynch said he does not think it is a question of having the money, but what the priorities are, noting that the City recently put $5 million in a parking garage and has considered putting $6 million or more in other garages. Mr. Lynch said we need to look at what the payback is. Mr. Lynch said the payback period is much shorter with a pre- school and is something the community clearly wants to see. Mr. Lynch said education is a priority for the community. Mr. O'Connell said that the City and school staffs have been jointly looking at land and buildings that could be used for a pre-school, but nothing has been identified that meets the requires of a pre-school, including that it be on one floor, but noted that not even a two floor space is available. Mr. O'Connetl said that City and school staffs have also been trying to work on the relocation issue. Mr. O'Connell said the question is how long does Jefferson survive as a pre-school given the maintenance needs of the building. He said preservation and redevelopment of Jefferson Schools is being looked at, and he presented draft guiding principles for evaluation of proposals for the site, noting that they do not include a pre-school in the building. The guidelines include that essentially all existing buildings remain. Tax credits are possible for the old part of the building. He presumes that the City would have to put up a significant amount of money to make it happen, and private fundraising could be involved. It is felt that if a pre-school is a requirement at Jefferson School, then it is felt that $5 million to $6 million will have to be put into it to make it work. Maintaining the gynmasium in its current site or elsewhere on the site may also need an infusion of public dollars. Mr. O'Connell said the intent is for the public hearing on November to address these proposed guiding principles. He explained that each $i million in bonds costs $100,000 a year in operating funds. Mr. Caravati noted that at least 50% of ail bonds issued by the City are for school projects. Ms. Wiggins said that the children are missing in the guiding principles, and she would rather see the children saved.