Lebanon
Nearly all School Board members indicate they would support another effort to modernize the district’s schools. But the scope and cost of such an effort remains up for debate.
Some board members said the $29.1 million proposal defeated by voters in March should be pared back significantly, while others urged that the majority of those improvements remain on the table.
“I think it’s about time that we looked at the elementary schools and do what’s right, not just for the building but for the students and the education that can be given there,” board member Mary Davidson said, in a CATV recording of the board’s meeting last Wednesday.
The discussion was meant to revisit the failed proposal to upgrade Lebanon’s four schools and request the input needed to craft another plan that can win over voters, said Board Chairman Adam Nemeroff.
“The goal right now is not to approve projects or to think about projects that would then go on a ballot,” said Nemeroff, who asked that board members propose changes or ideas they’d like to see priced for future discussions.
Officials quickly turned to cost.
“My interest is in seeing the total budget for this project substantially, substantially reduced,” said Vice Chairman Richard Milius.
Milius said safety and security improvements should come first in the next proposal, followed by additional classroom space and other infrastructure.
“I guess what I would like to see is a plan where these groups could be easily either separated out or treated differently (on the ballot),” he said.
Board member Wendy Hall questioned whether plans for a 650-seat auditorium and performing arts center could be made a separate warrant article.
The $12.1 million proposal for Lebanon High School drew criticism ahead of the March vote from people who argued it was unnecessary, would result in a sharp tax increase and decreased the likelihood that other more pressing needs would be rejected.
Hall asked architects to draw and price additional practice rooms and arts space without the auditorium.
Board member Suzan Louzier also questioned the need for the auditorium.
The drive to update schools initially was motivated by shortcomings at the city’s two elementary schools, Louzier said, and that’s where the next proposal should be focused.
“I’d be more interested in making sure, as far as our children and their education, what is the product we’re putting out?” she said.
Among the projects that went unfunded after the March vote were a new cafeteria at Hanover Street School, more secure school entryways and additional instructional and special needs space.
Many of those needs continue to go unmet, according to parents and community members who attended a May 9 forum on the modernization project.
Teachers are still feeling crunched for space in the elementary schools, while parking and security concerns plague the middle and high school, according to notes from the May 9 event distributed to board members on Wednesday.
Others said they felt unprepared for the March vote, telling school officials that most information either came “too late” or “too close” to city elections, the notes said.
Some board members said on Wednesday that they too would like to be better informed before it comes time for another vote.
“As far as building needs, I haven’t seen a whole lot of information from what the actual teachers in each building say is needed,” said School Board member Christina Haidari. “I think as far as our decision goes, it’s important to know what the teachers in the buildings are lacking or think they need.”
School officials and Mariance Architects, the firm designing Lebanon’s proposed upgrades, are expected to take the public and School Board input received so far and return in the fall for further discussions.
Nemeroff, the board chairman, said that’s when they’ll begin to officially craft options for another vote.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.