What started as a question "could we close Davis Thayer?" has produced a report that potentially could close three elementary schools, consolidate the middle schools into one building, and provide a better educational experience at less cost for Franklin students.
Read the Executive Summary of the Comprehensive Facilities Assessment:
"The Franklin Public Schools occupy multiple facilities ranging from 6 to 96 years of age. Over this period we have seen monumental shifts in how we educate students, particularly with regards to technology and educational delivery methods used. These changes have an impact on the ability of a facility to function as it was intended and as it needs to in the future.
In December of 2019, the Franklin Public Schools engaged Kaestle Boos Associates (KBA) to develop a Comprehensive Facilities Assessment focusing on capacity and the educational adequacy of the current schools.
Prior to engaging KBA, the District was provided with a Demographics Report that indicated enrollment was going to decline by approximately 12% over the next 10 years.
Utilizing this data, educational assessments of existing facilities and an inventory of existing spaces was collected through site visits and conversations with District leadership.
The results of the analysis indicate that Franklin Public Schools facilities are currently 26% under capacity and are anticipated to continue to decline to 31% in the next 10 years.
If no changes were to occur the school facilities would:
- all continue to operate under capacity
- continue to create a financial burden in the maintenance of these underutilized facilities
- suffer reduced educational adequacy in schools built prior to 1996 "
View the presentation copy as scheduled for review and discussion at the School Committee meeting Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
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| School Committee: Comprehensive Facilities Assessment |
