TRANSITIONAL SCHOOL SPACE REPORT - BoardDocs

As a follow-up to the aforementioned initiatives, a questionnaire measuring the
level of satisfaction of key stakeholders (e.g., Fishkill & Gayhead) was sent to
over 130 randomly selected parents and 18 staff in early November 2004.
Feedback from the 42% of surveys received was highly positive.
In September 2004, Mr. Powell again requested that the Transitional Space
Committee conduct a second study of classroom/school space to determine:
(1) the efficacy of the 2003-2004 school year recommendations,
(2) present school conditions and if any, emerging high priority schools,
(3) provide recommendations to address high priority schools.
Mr. Powell recognized that the short timeframe for the submittal of the report did
not lend itself to detailed research and analysis. However, anticipating the
possibility that should the committee recommend temporary building construction
(e.g., modulars) or building leasing, it was imperative that he receive the report at
least seven months prior to the opening of school in September 2005. Such lead
time would be required in order for the District to receive State Department of
Education approval on an application of new construction.
In response to Superintendent Powell’s direction in September 2004, a six
member Transitional Instruction Team was reassembled. Toward that end, a
second transitional short-term plan to identify high priority issues/problems was
presented to the Superintendent in November 2004, and subsequently presented
to the School Board the following month. The Plan identified four high priority
schools:
(1) Van Wyck Junior High School,
(2) Fishkill Elementary School,
(3) Roy C. Ketcham High School and
(4) Orchard View Alternative High School.
along with corresponding recommendations and/or strategies to address their
space problem.
-6-