ELEMENTARY FACILITIES COMMITTEE (3 X 3)

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Council Chambers – City Hall

5:30 p.m.

ATTENDANCE: Councilor Nick Mavodones, Co-Chair; Ellen Alcorn, School Committee Co-Chair, Councilor James Cloutier, Susan Hopkins, School Committee, Councilor Ed Suslovic, Committee Members; Judith Rosen, City Staff. Councilor Mavodones called the meeting to order at 5:50 p.m.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A motion was made to accept the October 10, 2006 minutes by James Cloutier, seconded by Ed Suslovic. Minutes Passed.

PRESENTATION BY WBRC ARCHITECTS ENGINEERS

Richard Graves and Michael Johanning from WBRC Architects Engineers attended this meeting. Richard Graves gave a power point presentation including an overview and preliminary schedule for construction/renovation of school projects (see attached). Educational adequacy, facility analysis, expandability and new vs. renovation analysis considerations were some of the items discussed. A question and answer period followed.

GOAL SETTING

Committee members and the architects reviewed the governing assumptions of the prior Elementary Facilities Task Force.

The primary assumptions are:

1) Fiscal Capacity

2) Enrollment Trends

3) Community Needs

4) Educational Mandates

5) Economic Diversity

Other assumptions include:

1) Maintaining the recommendations of the 1997 EFTF Plan

2) Reduce the current number of facilities

3) Consolidate students wherever possible

4) Limit redistricting

5) Maintain neighborhood integrity

6) Include all facilities

7) Timeline

8) Limit school size

9) Provide adequate program sites

Discussion and input was given by committee members and architects regarding prioritization and goal setting of the governing assumptions. The architects would like the next committee meeting to focus on prioritizing the list, clarifying the goals and adding additional goals if necessary. Committee members agreed.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Linda Braley: The declining population change at Nathan Clifford should not be the only criteria for closing the school. There are now 287 pre-K and K-5 children enrolled. There were also out of district requests that were not accommodated.

Martha Sheils: The State mandate for consolidation is not always equal. Consolidation of service is good, not the consolidation of facilities. Renovation vs. new construction: no school in Portland has sufficient acreage right now for turnarounds, etc.

Hallie Flint Gilman: Moved to Portland one year ago. Was told to move to outlying areas; i.e. Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, but chose Portland and Nathan Clifford. The neighborhood has wonderful cultural, racial and language diversity. There is a great PTO and there is a great connecting programs with USM. Diversity in school is very important to her.

Liz Holton: She is a Presumpscot and Lyman Moore School parent. She was on the last Elementary Facilities Task Force. She believes that you need to look at redistricting and the taking schools out of a diverse area and putting it into a white, wealthy area. She asked that translated material go out to non-English speaking parents inviting them to participate in these meetings and discussions.

Michele Butterfield: She was the co-chair of the last Elementary Facilities Task Force. She has two children in the school system. She sees a conflict in economic diversity and redistricting. This impacts the make-up of neighborhoods. The committee has to make priorities regarding which schools should stay and which should go.

Naomi Mermin: She is a Longfellow School parent. She is concerned about the list of anchor schools. Are the schools on the anchor list o.k. for 10 years? If they are not on the list, does it mean the school will close? The list of assumptions should also include walkability and busing. Need to look at minimizing bus time and walk time for students.

Liz Holton: mentioned that Presumpscot School needed a playground replaced and because of the EFTS list, it almost did not happen.

Barry Hozmer: Nathan Clifford parent. He is interested in the public process. He believes everyone should be made aware of these meetings. He asked if the Department of Education has open meetings and if the school board meetings are open to the public. Ellen Alcorn said yes to both questions.

NEXT MEETING DATE

The next meeting date has not been confirmed. Information will be sent out. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting by Ed Suslovic, seconded by Susan Hopkins. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.