Schools

Public Invited to Workshop on the Future of Region 13's Facilities

As the Durham and Middlefield school district deals with declining enrollment over the next decade, it is looking into what should be done with the district's school facilities.

The below posting came from a press release from Region 13 in Durham and Middlefield.

The Regional School District 13 Board of Education is in the process of a detail study of existing educational program facilities.

The public is invited to participate in a series of community workshops regarding the development of a utilization plan for the District's schools.

It is being conducted as a follow up to the demographic study done two years ago indicating a continuation of the decline in student enrollment that has been happening for several years now and is expected to continue for another 8 or so years.

The first workshop will be held on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 in the cafeteria at the Coginchaug Regional High School from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The purpose of the community workshops is to listen to the ideas, concerns and preferences of the community, to provide them with information as to the findings of the consulting firms findings and to ask for their input as we go forward to develop potential options.

The Board has selected Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (“DRA”) to develop the Facilities Utilization Study. DRA has already conducted building evaluations. They have also met with school staff to discuss programming and educational needs.

The first workshop will focus on gathering community input. DRA will hold subsequent workshops to identify possible alternatives for the District and will then shape specific recommendations for Board of Education consideration. 

The workshop schedule is:

  • Tuesday, October 29  –  LISTENING: Gathering community input
  • Wednesday, December 11  –  ALTERNATIVES: Understanding the options
  • January  (TBD)  –  SHAPING RECOMMENDATIONS for Board consideration

DRA’s study will consider the broadest range of options and possibilities to address the needs of the RSD13 school system.  We need involvement from many segments of the communities of Durham and Middlefield.

At the first of three proposed workshops, we are seeking your attendance and participation. You are invited to join us, along with your thoughts, ideas and suggestions.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

  • 7:00 - 7:10 — Informational Displays            
  • 7:10 - 7:15 — Welcome                                            
  • 7:15 - 7:20 — Study Overview                     
  • 7:20 - 7:35 — Workshop Overview                          
  • 7:35 - 8:20 — Breakout Sessions                             
  • 8:20 - 8:25 — Re-Group / Re-Cap                            
  • 8:25 - 8:30 — Concluding Comments

Children age three and above are welcome.  Age-appropriate activities will be provided. Current or former students are encouraged to attend and participate in workshop activities.  


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