Winchester officials debating middle school expansion plans
WINCHESTER - As in other affluent suburbs with good school systems, Winchester's student population is growing. So fast has been the growth at the McCall Middle School, in fact, that officials say they could run into a disaster there if they don't take action soon to expand its capacity.
But town boards have failed to find common ground on how an expansion project should move forward.
Robert Deering, chairman of the Educational Facilities Planning and Building Committee, said the middle school is already over capacity by 89 students, with a janitor's closet and teachers' lounge being used as classroom space. But Helen Philliou and other members of the town's Capital Planning Committee are worried about the estimated $8 million price tag of an expansion and have publicly questioned the project's priority.
"There are other priorities that we have to weigh," said Philliou. "My committee has not made a decision yet because there are significant concerns."
At a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, Philliou and Deering faced off over the issue. Deering contends that the town needs to act as quickly as possible to ensure that there is adequate space for the surging student enrollment.
"When it's September 2009 and you have 200 kids sitting on Main Street and no place to go, what are you going to do?" asked Deering.
Philliou, on the other hand, wants to see proof of those numbers and carefully examine all alternatives before earmarking the town's building stabilization fund for the project.
There is little disagreement that over the past 11 years Winchester has experienced unprecedented growth in its schools. According to a study compiled by Flansburg Architects and the School Department this year, enrollment growth in the town's elementary schools will continue through 2010, when the elementary schools are projected to peak at 2,039 students.
State Department of Education figures show there were 1,974 elementary students and 875 middle-schoolers enrolled in the system last year.
The first wave of those elementary students are expected to hit the McCall School in 2009, when 1,100 youngsters will show up for class. At that time, the building is anticipated to be over capacity by at least 200 students.
The School Department already uses modular classrooms at its elementary schools, but that could be cost-prohibitive when the surge of students arrives at the middle school, Deering said. Nine modular classrooms would be needed at a cost of $250,000 each. In addition, utilities and bathrooms would also be required under state law.
The alternative to that is expanding the McCall School, which would cost the town between $7.5 million and $8.2 million for 12 classrooms. A 22,000-square-foot addition would accommodate all the students expected in 2009, but to be completed on time construction would need to begin as soon as possible. Initial funding may be requested as soon as Town Meeting next month.
But putting money into the school means other critical projects would need to be put on hold. Asbestos abatement in the Public Safety Building and improvements to Town Hall are among the most pressing matters, Philliou said.
Improvements to the Vinson-Owen Elementary School, which was recently voted as the top school building priority by the School Committee, would have to be pushed back to at least 2011.
"We cannot ignore all our other buildings," said Philliou.
Selectmen are torn.
Selectman Brian O'Connor said spending so much money on 12 classrooms would be a "ridiculous" use of taxpayer dollars, while Selectman Thomas Howley said he supports plans for a permanent solution.
"We are between a rock and a hard place," said Town Manager Mel Kleckner. "I wish that we had more time, and it doesn't appear that we do."
The Board of Selectmen has pressed both the Capital Planning Committee and the Educational Facilities Planning and Building Committee to come to an agreement before fall Town Meeting, scheduled for Nov. 5.
Melissa Beecher can be reached at mbeecher@globe.com.
