High School Expansion/Renovation Project (9/24/97)

To: Oyster River School Board
From: Tom Carroll
RE: High School Expansion/Renovation Project.
Date: September 24 1997

Just some thought I would like to share with you concerning the High School Project. As I think about this project I need to figure out what our goal is -- what is the problem we are trying to solve? My view is that we are attempting to deal with the following:

Infrastructure issues

(in existing facility)

legal issues:

Numerous areas of the building are not accessible to disabled persons¹.
Increase handicapped accessible areas within all student support service facilities¹.
The health and safety of occupants are at risk with an inaudible public address system in classrooms¹.

"e;Quality of life"e; issues:

Ventilation throughout the school building is poor -- poor ventilation in health office¹.
Both male and female lavatories lack sufficient sinks¹.
Replace or repair intercom and public address system to ensure two-way communication between the office and all areas of the facility¹.
Repair or replace the hot water system to ensure the availability of hot water to student lavatories and for showers in the locker rooms¹.
Provide appropriate space for all student support services to ensure privacy and confidentially¹.
Ensure the even and adequate distribution of heat and air ventilation throughout all areas of the facility¹.
Windows, doors and lighting are not energy efficient.
Remove asbestos as part of the expansion and renovation program¹.

Program issues:

Install wiring necessary for safety and technology improvements¹.
Provide regular classroom space that meets current state guidelines².
Provide lab and other special classroom space that meets current state guidelines in terms of size and that have up-to-date equipment¹.

Over crowding

By far the most serious and most immediate concern is the state of the school facility itself. Over crowding is a daily problem, so much so that it accentuates the need for adequate and appropriate space¹.

The building is designed for 600 students who needed to take five (5) classes per day. The classroom capacity increases to 700 with modular classrooms however, these do not provide any relief for the core facilities (library, cafeteria and gymnasium). The current enrollment is 658 and is projected to reach 800 within the next two years. Classrooms and core facilities need to be expanded. The cafeteria does not meet the needs of the current population. The library needs room to expand in order to become the information hub of the school.

If, in the process of addressing these issues, we can provide additional space and meet other needs it is a definite bonus; but, I believe we must concentrate on these issues first.