WINDHAM — Many residents agreed with school officials last night that the district's space crunch and building needs in grades K-8 demand action. But what that action will be, as well as when and how it would be proposed, remains to be seen.
About 45 residents attended the building needs forum in the Windham High School auditorium. Two more forums are planned in the coming months.
School principals told the crowd their classrooms are operating at or beyond capacity.
If nothing is done, the three schools — Golden Brook, Center School and Windham Middle School — will need portable classrooms, the principals said.
Two schools, Golden Brook and the middle school, will have to offer music, art and other classes on "a cart" — meaning teachers have no particular classroom, and, instead are mobile.
"We have to do something," Superintendent of Schools Frank Bass said.
Residents pitched a variety of ideas on what they would like to see done — or not done.
Resident Rick Horrigan's recommendation that the district operate as few schools as possible was received favorably by the board and several people in the audience.
Resident Chris Lane also said fewer buildings would be better since the district would save money on operations, administration and other costs.
Residents are "having a really hard time with the taxes," she said.
While considering fewer schools, some board members and audience members discussed the idea of expanding the middle school from three grades to four — fifth through eighth.
School officials agreed that Golden Brook's facility needs — a roof, septic work, windows and improved fire safety — were the greatest.
But resident Tom Cleary said he would prefer to see the school renovated.
"It's disconcerting to me that you are talking about abandoning or tearing down Golden Brook School," he said.
Resident Diane Carpenter said the district risks losing quality teachers to other districts if Windham lets its facilities deteriorate.
And several parents said they want to minimize the student transition between schools.
Resident Barbara Coish recommended the district form a citizens panel to draft a proposal the town will approve. Otherwise, any costly proposal risks defeat, she said.
District officials have identified several options for resolving the building needs.
But one, bringing all buildings to code - at a cost of $17 million - would not resolve classroom capacity needs.
The other solutions, including construction of a new middle school, or major renovations, would resolve capacity needs and range from $29 million to $33 million.
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