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"My child goes to Cold Spring. Our classroom sizes are nice and small. You guys are predicting adding 10 more kids in there (from 14.4 to 24.4 under EFUC or Relocation). That's kind of big," said Karen Walker, a parent concerned about her second-grader's welfare. "Cold Spring's got nice little classrooms. We like it. We like it a lot."
"I have a child who is in fifth grade, and she's in a class of 26 now," school board member JoAnn Wolfe said in response, emphasizing class sizes are already large.
Board Vice President Bruce Kimball said it is important to note the fifth grade 27.7 average class size number under the EFUC Reconfiguration Model is the maximum number of students that could be housed in a particular classroom.
It could be less, he said.
Walker also mentioned the Carvel/Durst development, a large-scale housing and golfing community construction project affecting the Pine Plains community. "If that ever goes through, you're going to throw in 500 or 600 more kids eventually," she said.
The average class sizes for the 2008/09 school year are listed as 22 students in kindergarten, nine students in A1, 18.8 students in first grade, 14.4 students in second grade, 18.4 students in third grade, 20.8 students in fourth grade, 19.3 students in fifth grade and 10 students in special education.
According to a report, every grade level except kindergarten and special education is projected to increase in size in the future under either study model.
The current enrollment at Cold Spring is 185 students in grades K-5. Enrollment at Seymour Smith is 309 students in grades K-5.
Stanfordville resident Henry Boehringer questioned the board's analysis of how much it would cost to keep Cold Spring open.
"If Cold Spring is closed, is there any estimate of cost to reopen Cold Spring? Because I've heard there's some issues about having to bring it into compliance with state code for an existing school," he said.
Board President Helene McQuade said it's a factor that has been considered, but hasn't been estimated because no decision has been made.
"I would think, if you're going to consider the two things, you'd want to know the cost of what reopening Cold Spring would be prior to making a decision," Boehringer said.
Savings?
"If the district decided to move all elementary classes to one building, only Seymour Smith has the capacity to accommodate all students in grades K-5," Schools Superintendent Linda Kaumeyer said.
Based on the board's class size guidelines under the K-2/3-5 model, an annual savings is estimated to be $112,000. Under the Elementary School Closing Report of Cold Spring, officials predict that savings of $457,000 will occur.
Project's planning timeline
The process began a little less than three years ago when the board became aware of class size differences between Cold Spring and Seymour Smith schools.
"It seemed apparent class size imbalances were leading to other inequities between the two schools," McQuade said.
After about two years of analysis, a committee, comprised of community and board members, faculty staff, administrators and transportation officials, made a recommendation that Cold Spring Elementary become K-2 and Seymour Smith become grades 3-5.
Under the EFUC Reconfiguration Plan, the Early Childhood Center for grades K-2 would occupy an estimated 234 students, an increase of 49 students. It would allow 12 classrooms to be used for basic instruction and 10 classrooms to be used for ancillary services.
Within that same plan, the Intermediate Education Center for grades 3-5 would have an estimated 267 students, or a decrease of 42 students. It would also have 12 classrooms used for basic instruction and 23 classrooms used for special subjects, ancillary services and the Astor Head Start program.
Bus rides could be an hour according to a demographic study that was done.
"One reason we started this was to make sure we had a better way of balancing ... for all of the students," McQuade said.
The guidelines for transportation under the EFUC Reconfiguration Plan would include no student on a bus longer than 60 minutes, morning or afternoon. Students with longer morning ride times would have shorter afternoon ride times, and vice versa.
In 2005, the district commissioned a demographic study to help project the student population using census and birthrate trends and project capacity numbers. It was predicted by 2012-13, the district's elementary population would decline to 492 students. In 2009, with the current population totaling 494 elementary students, officials say the district is four years ahead in student population decline if current economic and development rate conditions continue.
There were two additional public forums held this week to discuss the issues. The first was held on Jan. 13 at Cold Spring Elementary School and the second is set for Thursday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Seymour Smith Elementary School.
