EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
Merrimack Valley
Two more Andover schools will close after hours
Now eight of ten schools will be shut in evening
Published: November 10, 2009
ANDOVER — A plan to close all but two schools this winter after normal school hours has some groups who rent the facilities feeling left out in the cold.
Since 2005, Andover has closed six of its 10 schools after hours between Thanksgiving and April vacation. As a result, the School Department has significantly reduced its utility bills.
In recent winters, Andover High School, West and Wood Hill middle schools and High Plain Elementary School have remained open for facility rentals. But to cut utility costs even more this winter, Wood Hill and High Plain also will go dark after the school day ends.
The change means that all school, town and private groups looking to rent a gymnasium, auditorium or classroom at night must be accommodated at either the high school or West Middle.
"In my opinion, it won't accommodate all the programs," said Andover Plant and Facilities Director Joe Piantedosi. "Something might have to fall out, but we haven't looked at what."
Members of community groups like Merrimack Junior Theatre and the Andover Cub Scouts already have been feeling the impact of the restrictive facility rental policy.
In recent years, plays and the annual Pinewood Derby have been moved to North Andover.
"It's unfortunate for us," said Josie Walker, artistic director of Merrimack Junior Theatre.
With Memorial Auditorium at Doherty Middle School under renovation, Walker said Merrimack Junior Theatre now holds rehearsals in the high school's choral room — which has no stage — and in the community room at Atria Marland Place, an assisted-living community on Stevens Street.
In her eight years working at Atria Marland Place, Community Outreach Director Tracey Meech said she has never fielded so many requests for room rentals from community groups than in recent months.
"There's no place for these folks to go," said Meech. "(It's) exploded from a trickle of two or three groups a month from anywhere to four to seven groups each week."
Selectman Mary Lyman said striking the right balance between energy savings and public access to town and school buildings has been a challenge.
"We need to develop a policy that people can use the buildings we have but not cause a huge energy crunch," she said.
In an Oct. 27 memo to the selectmen and Andover Town Manager Reginald "Buzz" Stapczynski, School Superintendent Claudia Bach and the School Committee suggested that they form a subcommittee to review school facility use during afternoon and evening hours and school vacations.
Kim Stamas, the town's recreation coordinator, said restrictions on school building usage have limited programming opportunities for the Department of Community Services.
As a result, she said the department loses out on potential revenue.
"Someone needs to sit down and say, 'OK, let's look at the big picture,'" said Stamas. "Is it balanced? Are we saving money or are we losing money?"
Piantedosi said he was unsure how much additional savings will result from keeping only two schools open this winter as opposed to four.
