Voters debate how big high school should be
February 10, 2007
Eagle-Tribune
WINDHAM, N.H. - Voters must decide whether to limit spending on their new high school but pay to expand it in a few years, or dig deeper into their pockets now for a larger building.
Last night, several residents and School Board members spoke in favor of building the larger, more elaborate school. Their comments came at the deliberative session, which allowed residents to argue issues before going to the polls next month.
“It would be highly irresponsible for anything other than Article 3″ to be the decision of voters, said School Board member Al Letizio, referring to the article that would build the most elaborate high school being considered by the town.
That proposal would cost the owner of a $400,000 home about $104 a year, according to town officials. It would include a lecture hall, greenhouse, multi-use turf field and other athletic features at the school complex.
Voters will consider two other options.
Article 4 is the most basic option and would have no impact on taxpayers because enough money for that building was raised last year. It proposes a school for 800 students, but will have to be expanded in five to seven years.
Article 2 would cost the owner of a $400,000 home about $60 a year but would allow the town to build a school that can hold 1,000 students and has three additional athletic fields. That building is projected to last the town 10 to 15 years before it needs expansion.
Last night, School Board members Barbara Coish and Beverly Donovan opposed articles 2 and 3, citing more work needs to be done on town wells before residents vote on what features their high school should have.
Work has already started off London Bridge Road on the new school thanks to the money raised last year, but the voters still must decide how big the building will be and the kinds of features it will have.
Voters go to the polls March 13. Also on the ballot will be a $30.7 million operating budget, a salary contract for teachers’ assistants and the addition of an art teacher at Windham Middle School.