The recommendation was made during a Bedford Public Schools Board of Education committee meeting this week.
Smith Road Elementary will remain closed.
Bedford Public Schools Supt. Dr. Carl Shultz, and assistant superintendent of instruction and student services, Dr. Mark French, recommended to the district’s board of education that they postpone the project to transform SRE into an early education center.
Shultz and French presented the recommendation during a committee of the whole meeting on Thursday.
“From the start of our process, we have tried to look at as many factors as possible to make a decision that will benefit our students and community,” Shultz wrote in a letter to parents that was posted on the district’s website Friday. “In order to generate a final recommendation, district administration reviewed an updated cost analysis for the proposal, current and forecasted student enrollment information, and logistical information based on potential timelines as well as community input.
Since last August, school administration has been exploring the concept of reopening Smith Road to house the over 400 students that are currently enrolled in the district’s Great Start Readiness Program, Young 5’s and Kindergarten. French oversaw a committee that explored the logistics of the transition, and formulated an initial proposal that was presented to parents and community members during three forums held in December.
Smith Road currently houses Bedford’s robotics teams and the district’s technology department, among several programs. The school ceased operating as a K-5 elementary school in 2011 due to the district’s financial situation at the time.
Lack of space at Bedford’s three existing elementary schools – Jackman, Monroe and Douglas Road – was the primary reason for the administration’s interest in re-opening Smith Road. All three schools are operating at capacity.
School officials also believed that housing all of the district’s early education classes under one roof would encourage collaboration and creative problem solving amongst the teachers.
But on Thursday Shultz and French detailed the logistical and financial concerns that forced them and the committee to reconsider the timing of the project.
District enrollment is projected to decline over the next five years, which should alleviate the current space issues at Bedford’s elementary schools without the need for another building. Additionally, the cost analysis for re-opening and operating SRE came in above previous estimations.
Re-opening Smith Road would also mean having to relocate BPS’ robotics program, and Shultz told the board that there is not currently another space within the district comparable to what the team currently uses.
“There are some things we need to do, I think, to move forward with this proposal,” Shultz said. “We all still believe this is the best way the district can move forward, if we can make the change to support our early childhood students.
The board supported the decision, with secretary Ron Koch saying that while he remains concerned about class size he also acknowledges the obstacles prohibiting this project from moving forward at this time.