TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL SPACE REPORT - BoardDocs

VI. Summary & Conclusion
The Committee’s review of instructional and common area space shows that
three schools, Roy C. Ketcham High School, Fishkill Elementary School and
John Jay High School require corrective actions to address overcrowding.
The most pressing area(s) of concern are the common areas, such as cafeteria,
corridors, stairwells, auditoriums, restrooms and special support programs. In
addition a fourth school, Van Wyck Junior High School was identified primarily
due to concerns over the stress on its infrastructure (e.g., water pressure, septic
system, HVAC system, etc.).
Roy C. Ketcham High School was viewed as a school with a diversified and
rapidly growing enrollment experiencing congestion in common areas, such as
corridors, stairwells and library, as well as instructional and support services
space outside the schools Science Wings. Recommendations designed to
favorably position the school in three to five years include modifying the
unoccupied basement area to permit the relocation of technical type
classrooms. The result would be an additional two (2) classrooms that would
become available to the school in September 2006. Further, an extended day
and/or campus scheduling model was recommended for both Roy C. Ketcham
and John Jay High Schools juniors and seniors. Such a format would be in an
opt-in basis and would extend the day for several students and thereby reduce
pressure on the schools’ common areas.
The recommendation of relocating Fishkill Elementary School’s sole Special
Education Self-Contained classroom to Evans Elementary School was made to
provide the former with a much needed additional general education instruction
classroom.
Strategies given to address John Jay High School’s space needs included the
relocation of rooms to create additional general education instructional space
and more effective management of student flow in and out of the schools
cafeteria.
Finally, recommendations were made to improve Van Wyck Junior High
School’s HVAC system, due to concerns over the large number of occupants
impact on the school’s infrastructure.
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