ELEMENTARY FACILITIES COMMITTEE (3 X 3)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Council Chambers – City Hall

6:00 P.M.

 

ATTENDANCE:  Councilor Nick Mavodones, Co-Chair; Ellen Alcorn, School Committee Co-Chair; Councilor James Cloutier, Susan Hopkins, School Committee, Ben Meiklejohn, School Committee, Councilor Ed Suslovic, Committee Members; Judith Rosen, City Staff.

 

Councilor Mavodones called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A motion was made to accept the minutes from the August 28, 2006 meeting by Ed Suslovic, seconded by Ellen Alcorn.  Discussion:  Ben Meiklejohn noted

that the K-8 Task Force report should be added to the material of the August 28th meeting.  Minutes passed.

 

PRESENTATION OF COG GROWTH FORECASTS

 

Caroline Paras, a planner for the Council of Governments, gave a 10-year forecast for school enrollment (see attached report).  The forecast is that Portland will lose 1,200 children in the next 10 years.  Hopefully with an aggressive housing policy and capture rate, the numbers can change.  If young families enroll their children in the system at the kindergarten level, they tend to stay in the system throughout their education.  A question and answer period followed.

 

PRESENTATION BY SCHOOL STAFF

 

Mary Jo O’Connor, Superintendent of Schools, went over the data requests from the August 28, 2006 meeting (see attached material).  A question and answer period followed.

 

Doug Sherwood spoke regarding the Department of Education’s timetable for the next phase of construction projects.  Doug spoke to Scott Brown, a developer from the Department of Education.  He stated the next development project would probably not begin until 2007 or 2008.  Reiche School is #20 on the list of projects and could be considered within the next few years.

 

An overview was given regarding the CIP (Capital Improvement Program). The City puts $10 million dollars every year into the CIP for projects (Public Works, Parks & Recreation etc.).  The schools receive some of these dollars. There is a cap of $10 million. 

 

Discussion followed regarding the savings realized by closing Baxter and what projections for savings the closing of Adams School would have. 

 

Ellen Alcorn asked for data on the capture rate for Portland.  What effect will consolidating elementary schools have on the capture rate.  Have other schools had effects due to the closing of schools.  Before closing schools she would like to know if there were long term savings on closures in other schools in the past.

 

Ed Suslovic stated that besides the fiscal impact, what are the operational savings and capital cost to keep the schools open.  Before closing schools what would it cost to update or re-construct schools.

 

Ben Meiklejohn mentioned the City Council Resolution and the 8 charges the committee was asked to complete before January 15, 2007.  He mentioned so far only 2 charges have been completed.

 

Nick Mavodones said if the  8 charges were not done by January 15, 2007 the committee could ask the City Council for an extension.

 

ELEMENTARY FACILITIES TASK FORCE REPORT

 

Members of the EFTF2 Committee gave background regarding the work they did and suggestions for the committee as it moves forward. 

 

Michele Hedrich, co-chair of the EFTF2 committee, stated the committee went back and looked at a 2002 facility report including enrollment rates, community needs and diversity.  She said having community input is very important.  She stated that no committee recommendation was made at that time because there was not enough community input. You need the City Council, School Committee and community input to make a recommendation.  Jane Wellahan, a Nathan Clifford representative on the committee, said the committee was asked to choose seven schools to close and the committee found it hard to make that decision.  Liz Holton, a Presumpscot School representative on the committee, said the demographics of neighborhoods are important to pay attention to.  There are changes happening in the East Deering area, for example, which could increase the numbers at  Presumpscot School.  Ed Suslovic served on the task force and said a huge barrier was enrollment projections and trends – that projected enrollment demands are crucial.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Lisa Cagney:  Her daughter has gone to 4 schools; Cathedral, Peaks, Reiche and now attends Nathan Clifford.  She wants her child to get the best education and believes parents and community are needed to help in this regard.

 

Michele Butterfield:  There was an article in the Portland Press Herald stating Maine schools are not ready for the 21st century.  She said consolidation of schools and regionalization was mentioned.  This article will be looked into.

 

Joe Partlow:  He moved to Portland from Chebeague Island.  He has one daughter at Nathan Clifford and one daughter at King.  He believes this committee is on the right track by looking at all facets.

 

Ed Bryan:  He has 2 children at Reiche School.  He is interested in looking at the 5 year expenditures for each school – the ups and downs, how much they received from  CIP,  what is the likely impact if a new school is built in the same district.

 

Kip Skibiski:  He just moved here from Florida.  Has concerns about safety when having a public library in a school.  Mary Jo O’Connor stated the community made the decision to have a neighborhood library in the East End School.  The library is open only 2 days a week from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and that safety is taken into account.  There is a glass window and staff who can watch people entering and leaving the building. 

 

DATA REQUESTS FOR NEXT MEETING

 

Duane Kline will be asked to come and talk about the CIP and bond ratings. 

Mary Jo O’Connor will provide a K-8 report, K-8 transportation report and select panel report.

 

NEXT MEETING DATE

 

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. in Council Chambers of City Hall.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.