TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL SPACE REPORT - BoardDocs

Finally, since SY 2000-2001 the District has returned over sixty Special
Education students from BOCES and Private Day School placements. While
the return of these high cost students has saved the District a significant amount
of money previously allotted for tuitions and transportation, they have also
contributed to the increase in demand of classroom space and additionally
staffing needs. Consequently, the aforementioned factors, when combined,
dramatically changed the “landscape” relative to available classroom space.
Capital Improvement:
The last new school built in Wappingers was in the late 60‘s. With the exception
of new high school science wings completed in SY 2002-2003,
the last major renovations/additions to our schools was in the early 1970’s.
Legislative Impact:
In the past twenty-five years, Federal and State Legislative initiatives and
judicial rulings have impacted classroom space availability. Changes have
occurred particularly among special populations in the age range and severity
of service, the environments which services must be provided, and the
supplemental supports provided to students. For example, the impact of
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) continues to reverberate in school budgets
and delivery practices throughout the country.
How Does Student Behavior & Violence Impact Classroom Space:
Problems of disruptive and violent youth behavior are a national concern
affecting every school district. Increasing expulsion rates, suspension rates,
and crimes of violence adjudicated before Juvenile Court are reflections of these
charges. Research evidence shows that overcrowded school areas (e.g.,
cafeteria, library, classrooms) often times enhances the possibility of disruptive
and/or violent student behavior. Attending to the students at risk
for such behavior has increased the needs for support from student services
personnel (e.g., social worker, psychologist, guidance counselor, in-house
suspension) and concomitantly space.
Technology Impact:
Wappingers Central School District students need access to computers whether
for general use, adapted access, speech synthesis, or written output,
accessibility is critical. Computer labs, like support services and workstations,
consume school space.
-14-