Superintendent proposes to School Committee new and expanded Boston schools in response to parent requests, demographic changes

BOSTON - Boston Public Schools Superintendent Thomas W. Payzant presented to the Boston School Committee tonight a series of proposals (attached) for the reuse or reprogramming of school buildings. The proposals create additional seats in programs with the greatest demand from parents and families throughout the city, including early learning centers, elementary schools, K-8 schools and small high schools.

Superintendent Payzant noted that the reuse and reprogramming of school buildings enables the school department to further the goals of Focus On Children II by increasing access for all students in all neighborhoods to safe, quality learning environments. He stated that, with the addition of 3 new schools this year and the changing demographics of the school-age population in Boston, there are opportunities for the district to examine the best use of all school facilities so that the programs they house meet the needs and desires of the families in the city.

"Parents throughout Boston have been very clear about the programs they want available for their children," he said. "We are eager to increase opportunities in programmatic areas where the demand is greatest and the educational value is clear."

Added School Committee Chair Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger: "We are enthusiastic about the options that Superintendent Payzant has presented. This proposal provides us with a new opportunity to respond to the changing needs of families in Boston."

The Superintendent's proposal is designed to address three key priorities: increasing programmatic offerings, finding permanent sites for several pilot schools, and investing capital resources in older buildings in need of renovation or repair. If approved, the proposals would result in:

• expanding an elementary school to a K-8 school
• opening 3 new early learning centers
• opening 2 new elementary schools
• opening several small schools within larger district high schools
• permanent siting of two pilot high schools
• external renovation of an elementary school
• renovation of central kitchen facility for improved service delivery

Dr. Payzant added that these proposals are consistent with the City's master capital plan. The reprogramming of facilities and the relocation of facilities are done with a thoughtful approach that takes into account the changing demographic data.

Superintendent Payzant emphasized that his proposals include plans for a timely and thorough process of informing and engaging schools, families and the community. Dr. Payzant contacted the principal of each school included in the proposal and provided individual letters to distribute to parents and staff about the options and the decision-making process.

"It is my hope that these proposals will generate thoughtful public conversation about the most effective use and several school buildings in the city," he said. "We encourage schools, families and neighbors to take full advantage of the opportunities we will provide to voice to the School Committee their questions, concerns and comments."

The School Committee has scheduled an additional hearing on November 12 solely to hear comments and questions on the proposals for re-use and reprogramming of school buildings. Families will also have opportunities to review and discuss the proposals at two other School Committee meetings, on November 19 and December 3. Dr. Reilinger emphasized the importance of community participation in this decision-making process.

"We are very committed to ensuring that families have an ample opportunity to express their ideas and to have their questions answered," she said. "With the School Committee hearing, as well as school- and community-based meetings, we trust that we can collect information from constituents and make a well-informed decision on these proposals. We will also be able to do so in a timely manner, so as not to delay the assignment process for next year."

In order to incorporate any changes for September 2004 into the student registration and assignment process, the Superintendent recommended that the Committee vote on the proposals in early December.

Superintendent Payzant's proposals for school reuse/reprogramming
Submitted to the Boston School Committee - November 5, 2003

School Year 2004-2005:

• Expand the Warren/Prescott Elementary School into the Warren/Prescott K-8 School by assigning grades 6 through 8 over each of the next three years. The school community has developed a detailed plan consistent with the K-8 protocol adopted by the School Committee.
• Open a new Harriet A. Baldwin Early Learning Center in the former Baldwin building in Brighton to replace the smaller North Zone ELC currently located in the Jackson-Mann complex.
• Prepare for the reprogramming of the King Middle School into the King Elementary School (to open in September 2005) by assigning only Grades 7 and 8 in September 2004. The opening of the nearby New Boston Pilot Middle School this year has alleviated the need for middle school seats in this area, while the need for elementary seats increases. Current Grade 6 students will be given priority for reassignment to a middle school in their home zone.
• Open the new Phyllis A. Wheatley Ninth Grade Academy in the former Wheatley building for academically challenged students entering high school. The school may be autonomous or a collaboration with Boston Evening Academy, already located in the building.
• Temporarily vacate the Holland Elementary School for external structural repairs. Relocate all students and programs to the former Thompson building. The Holland would reopen at its renovated site in September 2005.
• Site Boston Community Leadership Academy (BCLA), a pilot high school, in the former Taft building in Brighton.
• Site Quincy Upper School, a pilot secondary school, in the former Boston High School/BCLA building near Bay Village.
• Return the Winship Elementary School to its renovated facility in Brighton.

School Year 2005-2006:

• Open the new Robert Gould Shaw Early Learning Center in the former Lyndon K-5 building on Russett Road, West Roxbury.
• Open the new Thompson Elementary School at the site of the former Thompson Middle School.
• Reprogram the Dickerman Elementary School as the new Quincy E. Dickerman Early Learning Center. Move the smaller East Zone ELC out of the Central Food Facility and begin extensive renovation of the building for improved, more cost-efficient service delivery.
• Open the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School (see above).
• Open several additional new small high schools within existing district high school buildings.

Read about Superintendent's memo on Options for reprogramming/reuse of school buildings

Find out about the Community Meeting dates and locations.