White Building not at the top of the class

By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — Moving pre-kindergarten students to a new home on the campus of Newport Middle and High School did not get any support from a group of eight women at Thursday’s meeting of the Newport School Board.

In fact, many of them returned to the podium several times to make sure they got to express their disappointment at such a potential move for the three and four-year-old youngsters.

“Have you found any other viable solution?” one parent asked School Board Vice Chairman Virginia Irwin. “Not at this time,” Irwin replied.

Irwin was filling in for Chairman Linda Wadensten who was absent along with Ann Spencer. In addition to Irwin, School Board members Rhonda Callum-King and Tim Renner were in attendance along with Superintendent of Schools Cindy Gallagher and Richards Elementary School co-principal, Susan Schroeter.

The group with concerns about the move included parents, two teachers and one grandmother. They were Kayla Waterman, Deanna Armstrong, Alison Shepardson, Jackie Gelina, Jeanna Darling and Susan Wells. Two teachers speaking about problems that might arise with such a move were Susan Smith and Mary Beth Scanlon.

During the hour-long discussion, Irwin asked if anyone had alternative ideas on locating the 48 young boys and girls.

Bert Spaulding Sr., a member of the audience, supported the thoughts being expressed by the eight women. He asked if the adjacent church (St. Patrick) had been contacted during the search for a potential classroom location.

When asked, Irwin said the School District had looked for another location without success, including rental space.

“This is not our first choice to move pre-kindergarten students,” Schroeter said.

The options that would be available at the White Building include a ramp for wheelchairs and a separate area for playground activities. Equipment for the playground would be moved from Richards to the area of the White Building.

Related services would also be available and the young students would be bused to Richards for concerts and activities like the annual Halloween parade.

Later in the meeting, Irwin was asked why Towle, one of Newport’s former elementary schools, could not be utilized. The SAU 43 office now has its office in part of the Towle building.

“This is not a facility conducive for children,” Irwin responded. She said the heating system was inadequate. “It’s either cold in the building or you fry,” she stated. She also said there are no bathrooms on the first floor. Irwin said there is also a concern about the overall condition of the Towle building

The White Building, a double wide structure located just off the high school parking lot, is currently the lone candidate available for the 48 three and four-year-olds to use.

During discussion at Thursday’s meeting it was noted that the White Building has two rooms that can be used along with two bathrooms.

Not all 48 youngsters are in the building at the same time as 24 attend in the morning and 24 in the afternoon with 12 in each room. The morning session also has six adults working with the students and five in the afternoon.

One parent asked if there was a possibility of constructing an addition at Richards School. Irwin said there is ample room to add four rooms, two on the first floor and two on the second floor.

She reminded the group that Newport is currently in the process of bringing forth plans for a new Community Center and in six years would have to deal with its share of the costs of renovations at the Newport location at Sugar River Valley Regional Technical Center.

It was also mentioned that if a band aide were utilized to address the problem this year it would still be around next year. It’s all about looking at the long term, it was stated.

Some of the remarks made by the eight women in attendance follow:

There are a lot of concerns about putting three and four-year-olds at or near the high school.

I’m really disappointed. If pre-school children are moved from Richards it will be difficult for a lot of kids.

Some kids have a problem with change.

Is everything that needs to be done be ready by the time school starts? “We would expect it,” Irwin stated.

You put them here and isolate them. How do you keep student drivers from racing though the parking lot?

I don’t think it’s appropriate for kids to be in contact with 17 and 18-year-olds.

During a fire drill would the pre-schoolers be sent to an area of containment with high school students?

I think you’ll find parents pulling kids out of the place they need to be.

Kids will be losing out but so far I haven’t heard anything positive about putting children there.

This will be the very first time some of these children will be in school. They need space that is welcoming to them.

I think about these early learners and I’m very concerned about their safety.

There is a sense of community at Richards. I’m frustrated about the late notice. There would be more parents here tonight if they had known about it.

What are your plans for administration out there?

Pre-schoolers going to the nurse in the high school could be exposed to foul words coming out of the mouths of older high school students.

I’m concerned about two toilets with 24 students and five adults out there. Some kids are just learning to use the bathroom and some may still be in diapers.

Is this a done deal? “I can’t answer,” Irwin said. “It’s not cast in concrete,” she added.

Spaulding asked if the White Building classrooms had been measured for size. Irwin said she didn’t currently have that information.

“I think these people deserve a second audience when you have all the facts,” Spaulding said. “There has to be a lot of give and take. It’s their children in your system,” he added.