HS Expansion

Norton School Committee
Town of Norton, Massachusetts

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(this video was presented to the entire school staff)

Dear Resident,

I would like to discuss space needs at the High School.

First, I would like to preface this statement by saying this a very preliminary plan and the school committee or the board of selectman have not had any substantial discussions at this time. The purpose of this is to get feedback from you at this early stage and to solicit other ideas through an introduction of just one concept. I also wanted to make sure you are aware that we have High School facility planning on the horizon to address our classroom space needs and to make necessary upgrades to the existing High School.

I would like to entertain presenting the town with a High School expansion plan in the near future. Based on current enrollments, capacities, and available space for renovation within the existing walls of our other schools, I believe that the only true near-term capacity problem for us will be in the High School. Our average pre-HS class size is over 270 (K-8), which will translate into a High School enrollment between 850-950 (depending on % to private schools). We will reach this rapidly in two-three years. The Freshman class for 2006-2007 year is estimated to be 220 students, compared to a 2006 graduating class of 131. This school year represents a 10% actual increase in enrollment at the High School.

The most feasible, prudent, and responsible option is to expand the High School by adding somewhere around a 40,000 addition over two levels. The first floor could house a community multi-purpose room surrounded by an indoor track and would be shared throughout the community (Council on Aging, Recreation Dept, other civic groups, High School Athletics). The second floor could support modern classrooms for primarily Science Labs (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) and Technology. This Science/Technology/Computer wing is hoped to be reimbursed under the new state School Building Authority (if accepted) at an estimated rate between 55%-65% . The existing Science classrooms/labs would be converted to regular class room space.

We are the process of submitting a letter of interest with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

Kevin O'Neil