WCSD Master Plan Referendum
Questions & Answers
Updated February 28, 2008 | WCSD Home Page | Referendum | Email: MasterPlan@WappingersSchools.org

 


THE QUESTIONS

What is meant by the terms Master Plan and Five Year Plan?

Master Plan:
Since August 2003 the District has, through the efforts of staff, community volunteers, board members and professional consultants, worked diligently to develop a long-range vision. This vision addresses projected student enrollments, facilities, class sizes, grade alignment, feeder patterns, educational programs and services, a middle-level education model, and full-day kindergarten. This planned vision is known as the District’s Master Plan.

Five-Year Plan:
The District’s Five-Year Plan identifies and prioritizes projects of a capital construction nature such as roof replacements, paving, and heating and ventilating system upgrades, and schedules this work over the course of a five-year period. The plan document is updated annually. To date, this work has been funded via the District’s annual budget and periodic referendums.

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Does the work being proposed satisfy all of the goals identified in the District’s Master Plan?

The proposition directly addresses four of the six Master Plan goals by providing:
  • Consistent grade level configurations (K-5, 6-8, 9-12)
  • Creating a clear attendance path (feeder patterns) among schools as students move from kindergarten through high school
  • Implementing the middle school education model at both Van Wyck and Wappingers Junior High Schools
  • Placing special education intervention services into each elementary school

The proposition partially addresses Master Plan class size guidelines but does not address full-day kindergarten. These goals may be addressed in greater detail in the near future.

Although not included as Master Plan goals, yet to be addressed is the need for a transportation facility, as well as permanent locations for the District’s alternative high school and administrative offices, and improvements to the District’s athletic fields and facilities.

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How does the vision of the Master Plan equate to the need for additional instructional space in our existing buildings?

Instructional space needs to be developed in our existing buildings for both programmatic and logistical reasons. The vision is to have ten K-5 schools, two middle schools (grades 6-8), two high schools, and one alternative high school, with improved class sizes, consistency in programs, stable feeder patterns, and special education services available in every building. It is impossible to merge all of the District’s sixth grade students into our current junior high schools without planned renovations and additions.

Additional instructional spaces are also needed to keep elementary class sizes from possibly increasing to 30 or more students should future enrollments increase as a result of the housing start potential that exists, particularly in the southern portion of the District.

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The proposed proposition seeks authority to spend up to $107,137,282. How will these funds be spent?

Of the total funding authorization being sought, it is estimated that a maximum of $88,447,752 would be used to renovate and expand our two junior high schools as we look to adopt a consistent middle school program that would accommodate maximum enrollments of 1,600 students per school in a 6-8 grade-level configuration. As a result of eliminating sixth grade centers, feeder patterns could be established to insure that families will know in advance the planned K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 schools of attendance in a student’s K-12 career.

The balance of the expenditure authorization, up to an estimated maximum of $18,689,530, would be used to address prioritized capital construction projects at each of twelve other District schools as contained in the District’s Five-Year Plan.

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What portion of the total cost is state aidable and how will the receipt of aid be scheduled?

Under the current state building aid formula, the District should be entitled to receive aid on 58.3% of approved project costs. Approved project costs usually range from between 95% - 100% of total actual costs. The middle school additions and renovations scheduled as part of the scope of the Master Plan work will be aided over a period of 20 years. The district-wide reconstruction projects included as part of the District’s Five-Year Plan will be aided over a period of 15 years. Of the total $107,137,282 maximum authorization being sought, it is estimated that approximately $58 million will be returned to the District in the form of aid.

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What will be the impact on my school tax bill?

The borrowings associated with the projects will be phased in over the life of the projects. The first payment that will have an impact on the tax levy is expected to occur in the 2009-2010 school year. Debt service payments will be partially offset by the retirement of current debt.

The average household, assessed at $350,000, is expected to see an estimated annual increase of approximately $74 when the project is fully completed.

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On what basis were Five-Year Plan projects selected to be part of the proposition and what types of projects have been included?

The District’s Five-Year Plan is updated annually. Projects are identified, prioritized and scheduled for completion during a five-year period with respect to health and safety issues and program needs. Projects included within the proposition represent categories of work that had been scheduled for completion in what would have been years one through three of the Five-Year Plan. Barring extraordinary or unforeseen circumstances, all of these projects will be completed by September 2012.

Some of the types of projects include roof resurfacing, municipal water and sewer hookups, boiler replacements, bathroom renovations and heating and ventilating upgrades. A complete list of projects by building is included in the Master Plan edition of WCSD In Print or you may consult the District’s web site.

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Are artificial turf athletic fields included in this referendum?

No. However, turf fields are currently being researched for a possible future referendum.

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Years ago the District experienced comparable enrollments. Why is there a need now for more space?

  • Federal laws passed since the 1970’s require districts to provide special education services to disabled students in settings such as resource rooms and self-contained classes, and related services including adaptive physical education, physical and occupational therapy, speech, social work, school psychologists, and testing accommodations. All of these require additional classroom, office and therapy space.
  • No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation now mandates Academic Intervention Services (AIS), which include counseling, occupational and physical therapy, and speech, as well as support with academic subjects.
  • In the past, only art, music, library, and physical education were offered to elementary students. Today we also offer enrichment and computer classes.
  • Federal laws now mandate English as a Second Language (ESL) services for an increasing number of identified students within the District.
  • It was not uncommon to have class sizes of 30 or more students in the past. Now, the Board of Education goals seek to reduce the number of students in each class to 20 in kindergarten, 22 in grades 1 and 2, and 25 in grades 3-5. The middle school additions may also enable the District to reduce class sizes in the secondary schools as well.
  • When WCSD population was at its highest, several grade levels were on split sessions.
  • In the past there was often no dedicated space for art and music programs. Art was provided on carts and music was taught on the stage.
  • Over the last 20 years New York State has increased the number and types of courses students must take at the junior high and high school levels. The number of credits required to graduate has grown significantly in the last five years.
  • Years ago schools did not have even one computer classroom. Today, students enjoy access to computer classrooms which help prepare them to live and work in a technology age.
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What physical changes will occur in each of the junior high schools?

Van Wyck will gain approximately 43,000 square feet. This additional space will accommodate a gym, cafeteria, computer classroom, two large group/ensemble rooms, technology rooms, two small group instruction rooms, a new library/media center and a net gain of 15 new classrooms after the removal of the modular classrooms. Existing space will be redesigned to create another Family and Consumer Science room and special education classrooms. Grade levels will be grouped in their own area of the building. The baseball field will be relocated and improved.

Wappingers Junior High will gain approximately 82,750 square feet to be used for a large cafeteria on the first floor, four small group instruction rooms, a computer classroom, a technology room, a large gym, and 44 new classrooms. The proposed addition will preserve the unique architectural style of the building while adding needed space. The re-design includes one new field for sports activities.

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I keep hearing the term “Middle School Model”. Aside from a 6-8 grade level configuration, how does this model differ from a junior high school program?

Junior high schools operate with students moving from period to period with no “connection” to the teachers or to the subject they are studying. The “Middle School Model” recognizes that the years between the ages of 11-14 (grades 6-8) are a critical time for shaping the direction that a student will take in life. Teachers are trained in how to motivate the adolescent learner. They work with each other as teams to provide interesting and meaningful lessons that help students connect school with the “real” world. Students are given the opportunity to explore and develop their interests and abilities outside the classroom in a safe, supportive environment. Discipline is used to teach students how to make better choices. The “Middle School Model” welcomes and encourages parental partnership in education. We will be able to fully implement a middle school approach in the District once both schools include grades 6-8.

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What will happen when 6th grade classes are moved out of the elementary schools? Will redistricting be necessary?

It is our goal to make sure each elementary school has enough space for its own special education classes, therapist rooms, conference rooms, computer classrooms and small group instruction rooms in addition to the needed K-5 classrooms. In order to do this, some schools will lose one or two classrooms while schools with 6th grade centers will gain classrooms. Because of this we will need to redistrict in order to make sure no school is overcrowded or under-populated and to target class sizes of 20-25 in each school. Redistricting will take place once both middle school additions and renovations are complete.

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What will some of the advantages be for the District’s special education programs?

Historically, due to space limitations, special education students have had to leave their home school and, in some cases, have been transferred within the District as many as three times during their elementary school careers in order to receive mandated special education services. Under the proposition, special education students will receive services in their home school. Every elementary school will have integrated (inclusion), self contained and resource room settings for all grade levels. Communication classes (K-2, 3-5) will remain a district wide program housed at Myers Corners Elementary School.

The plan also provides dedicated office and therapy space in each school for our school psychologists, social workers, and speech, occupational and physical therapists.

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Other than the annual debt service cost that will need to be budgeted for the actual construction and renovations, what other types of costs will need to be budgeted in future years?

To implement the Master Plan goals there will be a need to add the following staff as construction is completed:
  • Nine elementary teachers
  • Five special education teachers
  • One teacher each for art, music and physical education
  • One teaching assistant
  • Five school monitors
  • Assistant principal
  • Nurse
  • One full-time and two part-time office positions
  • Four night custodians
  • One-half maintenance mechanic
Estimated initial staffing cost increases with benefits: $2,079,235
Estimated initial utility cost increases: $180,000
Estimated initial equipment and supply cost increases: $24,000

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How will any increased traffic flow be accommodated under the planned expansions at the new Wappingers Middle School?

Two new parking lot areas with approximately 232 spaces for staff are planned, along with a third parking area containing 70 new spaces for visitors. Also included are 18 new bus loading spaces.

The installation of a traffic signal is planned for the intersection of Major McDonald Way and Middlebush Road along with improved striping to provide a shared “thru/left” and an exclusive right turn lane from the school.

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What will be the proposed construction timeline?

We expect that the renovations and additions to the new Van Wyck Middle School will be finished by September 2011 and that all 6th grade classes from Fishkill, Brinckerhoff, Gayhead, and Fishkill Plains will be moved accordingly.

The renovations and additions to the new Wappingers Middle School should be completed by September 2012, housing all 6th grade classes from Evans, Sheafe Road, Vassar Road, Kinry Road, Oak Grove and Myers Corners.

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Since the funding authorization being sought represents the costs for Master Plan and Five-Year Plan projects, why aren’t two separate propositions being presented?

Separately, neither proposition will meet the planned needs of the District. There is $14.2 million in renovation work that must be done in the middle schools such as boilers, ceiling tiles, bathroom renovations, and municipal water and sewer hookups. By combining the work we would be able to realize economies of scale and efficiencies as a result of structured bid packages and the scheduling of work.

Possible scenarios if we were to split the proposition:
  1. If middle school infrastructure work is in the Five-Year Plan and:
  • Five-Year Plan passes and Master Plan additions do not pass: We will have infrastructure support for an addition that can’t be built per the District needs. Note: the cost for this Five-Year Plan would then have to be $14.2 million higher than what you will see in the current proposition because the middle school items would have to be put back into it.
  • Master Plan additions pass but Five-Year Plan does not pass: We will have additions to the middle schools but no infrastructure support for these or any other buildings.
  1. If middle school infrastructure work is included in the Master Plan and:
  • Five-Year Plan passes and additions do not pass: Inequity - The middle schools would have no additions or renovations but the other schools in the District would have what they need.
  • Master Plan additions pass but Five-Year Plan does not pass: Inequity - Additions and renovations would be completed at the middle schools but there would be no funding for any of the needed renovations in the other twelve schools.
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The staffing increase stated in your Master Plan handout is for 17 teachers. What about the staffing for the other 46 new classrooms?

Based on current programs and the need to reduce class sizes at the elementary schools, we are projecting the need to hire only an additional nine regular education teachers, five special education teachers, one art teacher, one music teacher and one physical education teacher.

A total of 84 classrooms will be gained through the Master Plan. Thirty (30) of the existing classrooms will be reallocated or returned to a former use such as computer classrooms, resource classrooms, speech rooms, conference rooms, and academic intervention classrooms. These rooms will be staffed with teachers who are currently providing the same instruction in closets or basement rooms. An additional 38 rooms will be used for teachers who have had to share space with colleagues. Currently, it is common to in the junior high schools to have three or four different subjects and/or grade levels using the same classroom space throughout the course of the day. Separating students by grade level as per a middle school program of excellence will be possible when we have the space to designate rooms by subject and grade level. This will also enable us to consolidate supplies and textbooks so that teachers do not have to carry them from room to room as they sometimes do now.

In summary, we will not need corresponding additions to staffing and number of rooms as has been assumed by some. We will be able to reduce the student to teacher ratio by adding the nine regular education teachers to expand the number of sections of K-5 classes. The additional request for art, music, and physical education teachers corresponds to this increase in the number of elementary sections. Consistent and stable special education programs in each school will be made possible with the addition of five special education teachers. The additional classrooms space will be used to improve programs in the elementary and middle schools without the need for additional staff as described above.

DESCRIPTION OF CLASSROOM ADJUSTMENTS

Classrooms
gained

Classrooms
lost

New additions at VW

19

 

Remove modulars at VW

 

4

Separate shared spaces at VW (subject/grade overlaps)

 

21

New additions at WJHS

44

 

Separate shared spaces at WJHS (subject/grade overlaps)

 

17

Eliminate basement classrooms at WJHS

 

3

6th grade rooms at Myers Corners

11

 

Regain resource room, conference room, psychologist/SW office at MC

 

2

6th grade rooms at Evans

2

 

Regain resource room, conference room, psychologist/SW office, instrumental lesson room at EV

 

2

6th grade rooms at Kinry Rd

8

 

Regain speech room, enrichment room, conference room

 

2

Remove modulars at Gayhead

 

4

Regain computer classroom and Special Ed classroom at GH

 

2

Remove modulars at Fishkill Elementary

 

2

Regain Special Ed classroom, computer classroom, resource room, AIS classrooms and conference room at FI

 

4

Regain AIS and Enrichment space at Brinckerhoff

 

2

Regain Special Ed classroom at Fishkill Plains

 

1

Regain AIS/Enrichment space at Oak Grove

 

1

No changes at Sheafe Rd

0

 

Regain Special Ed classroom and conference room at Vassar Rd

 

1

TOTALS

84

68


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Site info: Charles Hill [chill@WappingersSchools.org]