By Mitch Evans
At the first Bedford School Committee meeting of 2016, the Space Needs Task Force presented their report on the issue of increased enrollment figures and the subsequent impact on space in our public schools. This working group was the suggestion of School Committee member Ed Pierce, who recommended an independent review by Bedford volunteers (school personnel, parents, and residents.)
The task force began examining the data available from three different research reports: the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) enrollment study, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the UMASS Donahue Institute (the Massachusetts U.S. Census Affiliate). They also looked at the following influencers:
- data from Bedford’s planning and assessors departments
- in-the-pipeline developments
- the risk or potential for further subdivisions of housing plots
- turnover rate of senior citizen housing
- information obtained from realtors, parent surveys and economic trend data
- correlations between multi dwelling developments and enrollment
- impact of school quality, immigration (English as a Second Language needs), pent-up housing demand, affordability, Town services, economic trends, Bedford’s unique elementary configuration and the major uptick in in-migration.
The aim of the task force was to verify the recent NESDEC enrollment study conclusion, that Bedford’s increase in school enrollment numbers is actually a long term trend. The findings from the Space Needs Task Force would then allow the school committee to submit funding requests for either temporary modular classrooms or more permanent additional space.
A decision was made to initially focus on Lt. Job Lane School for this research report and subsequent requests for capital budget. This is because Davis School already has two additional modular classrooms (assembled in 2014).
Any permanent construction at Lane School, if approval is given to begin work this summer, could potentially avoid the need for temporary modular classrooms, as the next large cohort of students enters the school in September 2017.The table below gives you an idea of the impact on space of this increase in enrollment as it moves through the grades at Lane School. These calculations were based on the guideline of a maximum of 25 students per class.
The latest quote for renting two modular classrooms is $500,000 with additional construction costs on top. The task force examined various timings and cost options and concluded that a permanent extension of the Lane school building, to provide the extra space required, would be the most effective use of funds and time.
The task force was meticulous in its approach, identifying or ruling out alternative approaches such as the repurposing of existing space. Lane School has already used up all options to create additional space for our children, including converting the multi purpose room into a teaching space, creating new classrooms out of meeting rooms and building small group intervention rooms in the hallways.
The committee also looked into the costs of a 9,000 square foot inflatable structure similar to the winter dome at The Edge. This would mean that the Lane gymnasium could then be converted into classrooms. However, coming in at a total cost of $1,717,000, this option was deemed too expensive a solution. The option to transition to remote computing and to repurpose the present computer lab is currently being considered but would require purchasing more laptops and upgrading current network capabilities; it would also only provide one potential new classroom.
The group also considered the fact that the severe autism program called SAIL (Students Achieving Independent Learning), presently at Davis School, will need to expand to Lane School beginning in September 2017. This program will require one additional classroom and one occupational therapy space.
In conclusion the Task Force report recommended that the School Committee approve a request for quotation on a Feasibility Study and Schematic Design for a permanent addition of four to six new classrooms at the Lane school, with construction completed by August 2017.
Click here for a PDF copy of the complete Space Needs Task Force Report
If you have any further questions please contact Superintendent of Schools, Jon Sills on 781-275-7588.
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