BudCom Passes Renovations to Voters

Voters in March will have the chance to pass a $21.5 million bond for renovations at the Fisk, Haigh and Soule Elementary Schools, completing the six elementary-school renovation plan, following recommendation by the Budget Commmittee Thursday night.

Final votes on warrant articles were held by the committee and they recommended Article 2 by a 5-3 vote, with members Patrick McDougall, Chairman Russell Frydryck and Everett McBride voting against. Committee member Jim Ribaudo was not present.

The vote came following a public hearing which saw School Board member Bernie Campbell shift his position on the renovation plan. Campbell originally supported an idea that would have renovated Fisk and Soule while Haigh would be closed. This was based on enrollment projections.

"I am taking the position that I support the School Board's warrant article for renovations that is currently before the community, and I urge all citizens to join me in that support," Campbell said.

Campbell still believes closure of Haigh is a possibility down the line. However, Campbell said he wants to see the fruits of renovations at , and Elementary Schools extended to all Salem students.

He also outlined possibilities for Haigh in the event it closes as a school, including relocation of other municipal officies such as the Recreation Department among others.

Sherry Kilgus-Kramer, president of Salem school advocacy group Strengthen Our Schools, said continuing to allow the schools to deteriorate would lead to higher costs the longer the town goes without renovating.

"Renovated schools will attract younger families and build enrollments," Kilgus-Kramer said, noting school renovations in Pelham and Windham have led to that scenario.

Resident Rich Wilson, a parent in the Haigh district, felt discussion on this issue and others has been about having low taxes "for the sake of having low taxes."

"What about making an investment and expecting something great in return? What about leaving the next generation with something better than we all received?" he asked.

William Carter, who serves as chair of the Salem Conservation Commission, wondered if the School Department could think outside the box and find a way to pay for the six-school renovation at the same cost of a five-school renovation.

He also urged the decision-makers to keep the construction money in Salem by hiring local contractors to do the work.

During consideration of the article, McDougall said he could not vote in favor of the article due to the bad economy, declining enrollment projections and that 30 percent state school building reimbursement may not be available.

"These are all real factors this board should be considering," he said, reiterating he would have rather seen the five-school plan as a compromise.

Committee member Barry Pietrantonio said the schools need to be renovated due to "deplorable conditions."

In opposition, Frydryck said the option of reducing operating costs by closing schools would result in a "big payoff" that could go to other improvements at Woodbury or Salem High.

The committee also recommended all five of the Salem School District's new collective bargaining agreements and an article related to bond interest for the Barron, Lancaster and North Salem School renovations.

The Salem School District deliberative session will be Feb. 9 at Salem High School at 7 p.m.