The Washington Community School Board did double duty Wednesday evening. Board members first held the regular September board meeting, then members held an open work session looking at short- and long-term options for the school systems facilities.
In regular business, the Board adopted the 2025 budget and approved hiring the following staff members: Cheryl Pearson, Jasmine Hernandez, and Jasilyn Christenberry as instructional assistants; Alondra Gandarilla as an ELL instructional assistant; Carroll Roark as a sub for Jr. High math; Payton Williams as a 1st grade sub; and Kristen Petty as a sub for a 1st grade vacancy. The board also approved several ECA positions. In addition, the board approved overnight or out-of-state trips for the NJROTC and Beta Club and two professional development trips for dual language immersion teachers.
The Board also recognized three staff members who were named Staff Members of the Month. Receiving an award of $50 and a Yeti tumbler from Habig Injury Law were Tammy Delisle, robotics teacher; Bryant Heffernan, resource instructor at Washington Primary; and Travis Edwards, maintenance supervisor at the Upper Elementary.
After the regular meeting, the board’s members moved to Washington Primary, where information was presented on options to deal with facility issues facing the Washington Schools. All the buildings are showing their age, and a growing student population has several buildings overcrowded. Board President Scott Arthur reminded everyone that state law does not allow funds from bonds and funds generated by referendum to be combined for facility projects. The school systems consultants from Performance Services presented a short-term option to deal with immediate concerns with bonds that would not affect the current tax rates. This option would create secure entry locations for the primary, upper elementary, and Jr-Sr high complexes, build an addition to the primary building that would allow the 2nd grade to move to the primary, and reduce the intermediate school to grades 3 and 4. The cost of this project is a minimum of $24,500,000.
The remaining options would go beyond the school system’s ability to bond and would create the need for a referendum at some future date. Board President Scott Arthur said they presented the community with the ability to set a vision for the future and were long-term plans. Option 1: Primary becomes preschool and K-2, or just K-2; intermediate school becomes grades 3-5; upper elementary becomes the central office and perhaps pre-school. It also calls for a 6-12 complex at the high school with a new, separately, but attached, new middle school wing. Minimum estimated cost is $52,600,000.
Option 2: Primary remains as in Option 1, intermeidiate building becomes a 7-8 junior high, upper elementary becomes central office, and perhaps pre-school, jr-sr high, becomes 9-12 high school. A new building would be constructed for grades 3-6. Estimated cost: $59,000,000
Option 3: Primary remains PK-2, Intermediate becomes 7-8 junior high, Upper remains grades 5-6, new school built for grades 3&4, WHS complex becomes 9-12. Estimated cost: $43,500,000
Option 4: Primary remains PK-2, Intermediate becomes Grades 3-5, Upper Elementary closed or repurposed, a new middle school for grades 6-8 built, and high school takes over the entire WHS complex. Estimated cost. $ 71,000,000
Option 5: Primary remains PK-2, Intermediate Grades 3-4, Upper remains as grades 5-6, new junior high for grades 7-8 built, WHS complex becomes high school and central office. Minimum estimated cost: $57,000,000
All of the options presented by Performance Services called for the repurposing or closing of Veale Elementary. Board member Randy Bouchie suggested Veale as a possible location for prekindergarten. Several patrons asked questions and expressed opinions about the options. Board member Sarah Browning said she favored getting started with the short-term option rather than focusing on long-term projections that might not win a referendum. Almost everyone agreed that it was important to upgrade all buildings so that they had secure entrances. Board president Scott Arthur and superintendent Kevin Frank said the board wants all discussions to be as transparent as possible, and the work session presentations and public comments can be watched on the Washington Community Schools website and Facebook page. Arthur emphasized that no decisions have been made and public comments, suggestions, and questions are welcome.
