Facilities Study Group Presentation

7/27/2019 Facilities Study Group Presentation

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September(12,(2013

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

FACILITIES STUDY GROUP

PUBLIC FORUM

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Wednesday, September 11, 2013



Introduction

The$Half$Hollow$Hills$Facilities$Study$Group$was$created$by$the$Board$of$Education$to$study$the$effective$use$of$present$school$facilities$in$light$of$declining$enrollment$and$budgetary$concerns.$$We$thank$the$Board$members$for$involving$us$as$stakeholders$in$this$important$work$and$commend$them$for$taking$this$step.$

Recognizing$the$crucial$nature$of$our$task$we$approached$it$with$seriousness,$openness$and$great$energy.$$The$Half$Hollow$Hills$Central$Administration$was$very$helpful$in$providing$information$and$data$and$was$very$responsive$to$all$our$requests.

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Study Group Members

✴ Stephen'Barone✴ Shari'Brunning✴ Carolyn'Cipriano

✴

Ross'Diener✴ Tony'Fede

✴ Craig'Gardy✴ Chris'Genovese✴ Stephanie'Gurin

✴ Richard'Haase✴ Mary'Ann'Honick

✴ Neil'Lederer✴ Robin'Messinger✴ Michael'Neidel

✴ Stefani'Nemiroff

✴ James'Nolan✴ Mike'Petruzzelli✴ Carolina'Schaefer

✴

Kori'Schneider✴ Robert'Shapiro

✴ Donna'Smawley✴ Dave'Spera✴ Mark'Stone

✴ Milton'Strong✴ Joseph'Tantillo

✴ Sandy'Thomas✴ Leslie'Tolep✴ Steve'Troy

✴ Michael'Weisbrot 3




Meeting Schedule

• June'6

• June'18

• July'11

• August'1

• August'22

• September'3

• September'12'(Public'Forum)

• September'19

• September'26'(Board'Presentation)''

Note:'Many(small(group(meetings(were(held(in(addition(to(the(regularly(scheduled(meetings.

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Guiding Principles

• We'seek'to'do'what'is'best'for'all'of'the'children'of'Half'Hollow'Hills.

• We'plan'for'the'future'of'our'schools'and'for'the'future'in'which'our'young'people'will'live'and'work.

• We'are'conscious'of'the'need'to'plan'with'an'eye'toward'lexibility'to'adapt'to'possible'unforeseen'future'factors'impacting'enrollment.

• We'explore'options'that'are'consistent'with'our'District’s'values.

• We'seek'to'explore'changes'with'the'awareness'of'the'

emotion'and'angst'we'know'comes'about'with'change. 5




Guiding Principles

• We'recognize'the'need'to'seek'alternative'uses'of'buildings'that'may'no'longer'be'used'as'schools.

• We'value'diversity,'keeping'it'in'mind'in'any'options'we'study.

• We'recognize'that'our'goal'is'to'investigate'all'plausible'options'while'seeking'to'maintain'the'quality'of'our'educational'offerings'in'a'iscally'sound'manner.''We'understand'our'role'to'be'study'and'investigation,'not'recommendation.''We'see'our'role'as'a'resource'to'the'Board'of'Education.

• We'recognize'the'strengths'and'limitations'of'demographic'planning'and'enrollment'predictions.''Speciically'we'understand'that'ive'year'predictions'can'be'made'with'reasonable'accuracy'but'more'longZterm'predictions'are'prone'to'greater'error.

• Recognizing'the'decrease'of'enrollment'at'the'elementary'level,'we'are'guided'by'the'need'to'look'at'the'elementary'population'as'a'whole'

rather'than'the'present'population'of'any'given'elementary'school.6




Resources

The'Study'Group'was'provided'with'present'enrollment'statistics,'building'loor'plans'and'District'maps'including'present'attendance'zones'for'all'school'facilities.''

The'Group'used'the'resources'provided'by'Applied'Data'Services,'a'demographic'irm'hired'by'the'District.''Wayne'Verderber,'President'of'ADS,'presented'his'demographic'projections'and'explained'his'methodology.'The'Group'questioned'him'at'length'about'the'projections,'their'meaning'and'their'reliability.''He'later'provided'detailed'maps'to'the'Study'Group'indicating'present'

enrollment'as'well'as'other'information.

The'Study'Group'also'met'with'Michael'Murphy,'VP'of'Douglas'Elliman'Real'Estate.''Mr.'Murphy'has'worked'with'many'school'districts'to'analyze'and'market'school'properties'that'no'longer'function'as'school'buildings.''We'questioned'him'at'length'

regarding'the'potential'for'lease'or'sale'of'any'closed'buildings. 7




Methodology

The$full$Study$Group$analyzed$all$of$the$data$and$decided$on$some$preliminary$steps$in$our$work.$$Although$all$buildings$in$the$District$were$considered,$it$became$apparent$that$the$issue$centered$on$elementary$enrollment.$$The$Study$Group$suggests$that$secondary$enrollment$be$studied$ive$years$from$now$when$demographic$projections$would$be$more$

accurate$for$that$level.$$The$Study$Group$focused$its$attention$on$the$seven$elementary$school$buildings$and$included$a$study$of$the$Administration$Center$as$well.$

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Methodology

Four$teams$(each$consisting$of$both$staff$and$community$residents)$were$created$to$look$at$plausible$options$involving$the$elementary$level$including$the$Administration$Center.$$Each$team$was$to$study$four$facilities$in$the$context$of$looking$at$the$District$as$a$whole.$$Buildings$were$assigned$to$the$teams$by$lot.$$The$teams$were$paired$such$that$two$teams$would$examine$

the$same$four$buildings.$$On$August$1,$we$met$as$a$full$Study$Group$to$share$our$indings$and$develop$plausible$alternatives$to$examine$further.

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Study Group Guidelines

Our$discussion$was$guided$by$the$following:

• Maximize'eficiency'of'the'facilities'within'the'district.

• Geographic'location.

• Population'density'of'surrounding'area.

• Building'capacity.

• Transportation.

• Maintenance'and'security'of'building'(post'closure).

• Alternate'use'of'building.

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Study Group

Preliminary Findings

THE)FRAN)GREENSPAN)ADMINISTRATION)CENTER

•After$initial$study,$the$closure$of$the$Administration$Center$was$eliminated$from$further$study$because$such$a$closure$would$not$result$in$signiicant$savings$since$the$Administration$would$need$to$be$relocated$to$an$existing$building.$$

•Safety$and$logistical$issues$were$also$factors$in$eliminating$this$option$from$further$study.

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Study Group

Preliminary FindingsGiven'the'previously'discussed'guidelines'with'primary'focus'on:

•Geographic'location.

•Population'density.

•Building'capacity.

The'following'schools'were'eliminated'from'the'list'of'potential'

school'buildings'to'be'closed:

•Otsego

•Paumanok

•Sunquam 12




Study Group

Preliminary Findings

Evaluation)of)One)school)closure)option

Although$closing$one$school$is$less$disruptive,$this$course$of$action:

• Does$not$adequately$resolve$the$usage/capacity$issue.$$

• Is$a$shortterm$solution$which$may$result$in$another$closing$in$35$

years.$$

• Lacks$immediate$savings$which$can$impact$current$programs.

• Risks$moving$the$same$neighborhood$twice.$

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Study Group

Optimal FindingsThe$Study$Group$had$a$vigorous$and$detailed$discussion$of$the$pros$

and$cons$related$to$a$two$building$closure$proposal.

Pros$(Reasons$to$Support$the$Closure$of$Two$Elementary$Schools):

• Most'effectively'addresses'issue'of'building'usage/capacity.

• Increased'cost'savings'will'reduce/eliminate'any'cuts'in'programming.

• Reduces'likelihood'that'closure'of'future'elementary'schools'will'be'necessary.

Cons$(Reasons$Against$the$Closure$of$Two$Elementary$Schools):

• DistrictZwide'rezoning'will'be'necessary'with'an'impact'on'many'students'within'the'district.

• Will'need'to'address'issues'of'grandfathering.14




Study Group

Optimal Findings

Two)Building)Closure:

Vanderbilt'''or'''Forest'Park

&

Chestnut'Hill'''or'''Signal'Hill

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Vanderbilt

Pros$(Reasons$to$Support$Closing$Vanderbilt):

• Low'population'density'surrounding'the'school.'

•Close'proximity'to'Forest'Park.

• Location'on'Deer'Park'Ave.'(being'a'main'roadway).'

Z 'Location'makes'school'easier'to'protect'from'vandalism.

Z Good'location'for'alternative'use.

Cons$(Reasons$Against$Closing$Vanderbilt):

• Location'on'Deer'Park'Ave.'

Z Lends'itself'to'easier'transportation'for'students'that'need'to'be'reZrouted'from'another'school.''

Z Has'a'360'degree'radius'to'feed'the'school.' 16




Forest Park

Pros$(Reasons$to$Support$Closing$Forest$Park):

• Close'proximity'to'Vanderbilt.

• Ease'of'access'to'other'schools'makes'transportation'of'students'easier.

Cons$(Reasons$Against$Closing$Forest$Park):

• Location'in'neighborhood'makes'it'dificult'to'protect'and'secure.''

• Blue'Ribbon'School.'

• Limited'alternative'use.

• Dense'population'around'Forest'Park.' 17




Signal Hill

Pros$(Reasons$to$Support$Closing$Signal$Hill):

• Smallest'school'in'terms'of'number'of'classrooms.

• Light'density'surrounding'school.

• Close'proximity'to'HHH'High'School'West.'

Z Lends'itself'to'possible'alternate'use'for'High'School'West.

Z Security'and'vandalism'concerns'are'reduced.

Z May'reduce'onZgoing'maintenance'costs'i.e.'landscaping.

Z Field'and'facilities'could'potentially'be'used'for'High'School'West'activities,'etc.'

Cons$(Reasons$Against$Closing$Signal$Hill):

• Close'proximity'to'HHH'High'School'West.

Z Questionable'whether'it'suits'the'school'district'to'have'a'vacant'building'(or'a'commercial'lease)'adjacent'to'high'school).

Z Impact'of'having'non'HHH'school'district'personnel'in'close'proximity'of'students'using'ields.'

Z Emergency'evacuation'of'an'elementary'school'to'a'high'school'would'be'possible. 18




Chestnut Hill

Pros$(Reasons$to$Support$Closing$Chestnut$Hill):

•Location'on'LIE'Service'Road.

Z Location'makes'school'easier'to'protect'from'vandalism.'

Z Good'location'for'alternative'use.''

•Less'dense'population'in'surrounding'area.'

Cons$(Reasons$Against$Closing$Chestnut$Hill):

• Larger'capacity'school.''

• Location'in'the'geographic'center'of'School'District.''' 19




Exploring Leasability

At'August'22nd'Meeting'Z'commercial'real'estate'broker'for'Douglas'Elliman.,'Michael'Murphy'presented'information'to'the'study'group.'

• There'is'no'existing'market'for'an'entity'to'take'over'an'elementary'building'for'a'shortZterm'lease.

• The'fact'that'the'Board'of'Education'is'not'interested'in'selling'any'of'the'buildings'will'limit'the'potential'marketplace'signiicantly.''''

• Broker'has'done'very'preliminary'work'on'our'district’s'buildings

• Although'the'realtor'did'not'see'a'current'market'for'leasability'of'elementary'school'buildings,'he'did'mention'that'location'would'be'a'factor.

• Did'not'decide'on'whether'or'not'he'could'recommend'to'his'company'that'they'take'on'Half'Hollow'Hills'as'a'client'to'market'the'buildings'for'lease.'''

• Recommended'against'small'scale'leasing'to'nonZcredit'worthy'tenants.(i.e.'a'new'day'care'center'wanting'2,000'square'feet'in'an'80,000'square'foot'building.''

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Factors/Issues to Be Considered

by the Board of Education• Declining'enrollment'projections;'demographics'–'also,'what'are'the'reasons'for'decline,'what'

is'likelihood'of'a'reversal?

• Look'at'declining'enrollment'on'a'districtZwide'basis;'need'to'account'for'the'impact'of'potentially'outdated'districting'decisions'on'a'particular'school.

• Optimal'capacity'of'each'school;'optimal'student'/'teacher'ratios.

• Capacity'of'a'school'to'accommodate'additional'students'–'ability'to'expand'(through'portables'or'permanent'additions);'also,'ability'of'core'facilities'(library,'gym,'cafeteria,'auditorium,'playground,'etc.)'to'accommodate'additional'students.

• In'regard'to'the'age'and'condition'of'the'individual'buildings,'our'group'has'accepted'that'the'individual'buildings'are''in'comparable'condition'as'stated'by'the'District.

• Operating'cost'of'each'school'–'energy'costs,'maintenance,'etc.

• Transportation'costs'–'what'costs'will'be'saved,'what'new'costs'will'be'incurred'by'closing'a'school?

• Student'proximity'to'other'schools.21




Factors/Issues to Be Considered

by the Board of Education• Neighborhood'value'of'school'–'impact'on'surrounding'neighborhood'and'

property'values.''The'impact'to'a'neighborhood'in'which'a'closed'building'is'used'for'an'alternative'purpose'or'remains'unused.

• Ability'to'maximize'revenues'from'school'–'what'are'options?''Also'need'to'consider'legal'and'zoning'restrictions'on'use'of'property.

• What'are'costs'associated'with'vacant'school'building'(upkeep,'maintenance,'security,'insurance,'etc.).

• OneZtime'costs'involved'in'closing'a'school.

• Considerations'regarding'diversity'of'each'school.

• Trafic'study'Z'impact'of'any'reorganization.

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Facilities Study Group Summary

Note:$$The$group$did$not$entertain$any$timetable$for$implementation$of$any$such$options$because$it$felt$this$was$not$part$of$the$original$charge$to$the$group$and$such$a$decision$would$best$be$made$by$the$Board$of$Education$after$its$review$of$the$options$and$inal$decisionmaking.

• Thank$you

• Thoughts$&$Comments

• Moderator$Closure

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September(12,(2013

HALF HOLLOW HILLS

FACILITIES STUDY GROUP

PUBLIC FORUM

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Facilities Study Group Presentation

Documents

Transcript of Facilities Study Group Presentation