West Babylon Facilities Study Group
Report to the Board of EducationJanuary 7, 2014
The West Babylon Facilities Study Group was created bythe Board of Education to study the effective use ofpresent school facilities in light of declining enrollmentand budgetary concerns. We thank the Board membersfor involving us as stakeholders in this important workand commend them for taking this step.
Recognizing the crucial nature of our task, weapproached it with seriousness, openness and greatenergy. The West Babylon administrators were veryhelpful in providing information and data and wereextremely responsive to all of our requests.
Henry BiancoTransportation Supervisor
Mike KeanyFacilitator
Stephanie RussellParent/Community Member
Jennifer BuscemiExecutive Director for Finance & Operations
James LauritsenAttendance Officer
JoAnn ScottPrincipal, South Bay School
Anthony CacciolaSuperintendent of Schools
Thomas LeonbrunoJHS Special Education Chairperson
Roger SmithDistrict Architect
Kristen CatapanoParent/Community Member
Donna MucariaTeacher, High School
Nancy SmolenskiParent/Community Member
William DoranJHS Music/Art Chairperson
Donna PomillaSpeech Pathologist,
Tooker Avenue School
Yvonne SzpilkaTeacher, Santapogue School
William ElefterionParent/Community Member
Julie PowersTeacher, Junior High School
Christine TonaExecutive Director for
Curriculum & Instruction
Yiendhy FarrellyAssistant Superintendent
Robert PulverParent/Community Member
Joan TownleyWestern Suffolk BOCES
Ray GrazianoPlant Facilities Administrator
Theresa RaimondiNurse, Forest Avenue School
Kevin WalshBBS Architects
Study Team Members
Charge to the Study Team
The West Babylon Facilities Study Group is tostudy options involving facilities which wouldenhance West Babylon’s budgetary situationwhile maintaining West Babylon’s educationalexcellence.
Why This Study Needed to Occur
Over the past 8 years, the District has experienced declining enrollment.
The Property Tax Levy Cap poses additional challenges to our District.
The District is experiencing declining fund balance.
Meeting Schedule
April 8, 2013
April 24, 2013
May 15, 2013
June 26, 2013
July 10, 2013
July 31, 2013
August 21, 2013
September 18, 2013
October 9, 2013
October 30, 2013
November 6, 2013
December 11, 2013
Guiding Principles
We seek to do what is best for all of the children of WestBabylon.
We plan for the future of our schools and for the future in whichour young people will live and work.
We are conscious of the need to plan with an eye towardflexibility to adapt to possible unforeseen future factorsimpacting enrollment.
We explore options that are consistent with our District’s values.
We seek to explore changes with the awareness of the emotionand anxiety we know comes about with change.
Guiding PrinciplesWe recognize the need to seek alternative uses of buildings thatmay no longer be used as schools.
We value diversity, keeping it in mind in any options we study.
We recognize that our goal is to investigate all plausible optionswhile seeking to maintain the quality of our educational offeringsin a fiscally sound manner. We understand our role to be study andinvestigation, not recommendation. We see our role as a resourceto the Board of Education.
We recognize the strengths and limitations of demographicplanning and enrollment predictions. Specifically, we understandthat five-year predictions can be made with reasonable accuracybut more long term predictions are prone to greater error.
Recognizing the decrease of enrollment at each level, we areguided by the need to look at the population as a whole rather thanthe present population of any given elementary school.
Resources
The Study Team utilized many resources during its deliberations
District AdministrationAttorney for the DistrictDistrict Facilities AdministratorArchitect for the DistrictSCOPE Administration and StaffWestern Suffolk BOCES Demographic Service
Methodology
The Study Group studied all available data on enrollment,building utilization, budgetary costs associated with Districtowned facilities and related information.
The Group studied reports from Dr. Joan Townley, WesternSuffolk BOCES demographer, about projected enrollments.
The Group met frequently with the District’s architects toexplore building usage presently, and possible usage in thefuture based on projections.
With this information, much discussion ensued and three finalplausible options for investigation resulted.
Three Options
Increasing Efficiencies, Increasing Revenue
Establish a Pre-K Program
Rethinking the Use of District Schools
Increasing Efficiencies&
Increasing Revenue
Utility Costs Compared to Surrounding Districts
2012-13School Year
West Babylon
District 2 District 3
Sq. Ft. 732,225 776,560 1,052,238
Electric 461,817 852,665 840,717
Gas 251,930 224,082 145,840
Fuel Oil 0 509,045 1,150,598
Total $713,747 $1,585,790 $2,137,155
Cost per Sq. Ft. $1.03 $2.04 $2.03
Enhance RevenuesThe following revenue enhancement and cost saving measures have been on-going and partially implemented by the District prior to the commencement of the Long Range Planning study group:
Maximize state aid:The District has been able to generate and recoup an additional $307,461 in General and Special Aid Fund State Aid.
Maximized Medicaid Revenue:The District is in the process of implementing procedures which will enable a claim of approximately $50,000 of Medicaid Reimbursements.
Investigating the use of a commercial credit card to pay some of the District’s bills:
The District would receive a percentage back as a cash reward for using the credit card for payment.
Increase EfficienciesEnergy performance contract:
The District’s guaranteed savings over an 18 year period will be about $6,561,888.
Contract with Utility Check:
This company is in the process of conducting a complete review of District utility bills going back six years to determine if they can secure any savings, credits and/or refunds.
Re-negotiated XEROX contract:
The contract originally provided for a monthly allowance of copies. The District was charged excess copy fees for going over the allowance for several months. The contract was renegotiated to provide the District with an annual allowance.
Continually issuing Request for Proposals throughout the year for Professional Services
Continually trying to find savings in every area of insurance:
The District recently changed dental carriers for our teachers and administrators – this change saved the District about $50,000.
Future Revenue Enhancements and Cost Savings
Potential Sale of Property
100 feet from the back of Santapogue to create 5 plots; no variance needed but student limit would be changed from 500 students to 400 students according to SED guidelines
area at the high school field known as the “chute”
portion of land at bus garage, including possible “wetlands”
Santapogue Elementary School Proposed Sale of Property
❖ John A Robinson, Land Surveyor, has been contracted to do a survey of the entire Santapogue School property.
❖ The surveyor has also been asked to survey 5 separate 100’ x 100’ building plots on the extreme north end of the property between 11th Ave. and 12th
Ave.
❖ In informal discussions with The Town of Babylon Division of Planning, the District would need to file for a 5 plot subdivision prior to the sale.
❖ Contact with a local real estate indicated the property sale would generate approximately 150K - 160K per lot for a total of $750,000 - $800,000.
❖ The reduction in total property for the school, based on SED guide lines, would limit the number of students attending the school to 400. SED does offer a variance if that number is exceeded.
High SchoolProposed Sale of Property
The High School currently has a piece of property referred to as the“chute” located on the west end of the athletic fields.
❖This property already has its own property tax/lot map # ( 100. 213. 2.35. )
❖The property, if sold, would be zoned residential. It measuresapproximately 65’ X 200’ and would require a variance by the Town ofBabylon to be built upon. The realtor indicated if the variance isgranted, the property would have an approximate value of $130 – $150K.
Bus Garage Proposed Sale of Property
❖ The Bus garage has 2 parcels of property located in the back that also have individual tax/lot map numbers.
❖ Lot number 100. 220. 1. 1. measures 276’ X 476’. However we believe it is zoned “wet lands” and is not buildable.
❖ Lot number 100. 220. 1. 2. measures 276’ X 100’. ❖ The realtor indicated the area’s location may be less desirable but
with a possible subdivision into 2 plots the value could be $125K – $140K each. It is assumed a Town of Babylon variance would be required for the division.
Wet lands
Future Revenue Enhancements and Cost Savings: Readjustment of Transportation Mileage Limits
Grades District Mileage Limits
NYS AidableMileage Limits
NYS Legal Mileage Limits
K – 5 .5 - 15 1.5 - 15 2 - 15
6 - 12 .8 - 15 1.5 - 15 3 - 15
Grades Students Transported at
Current Mileage Limits
Students Transported at the
State AidableMileage Limits
Difference
K - 8 2,145 978 1,167
9 - 12 1,191 744 447
Total 3,336 1,722 1,614
The Difference is 50 Less Runs
Increase Transportation Limits
Cost SavingsSalary and Benefits 411,720Fuel 55,894Bus Insurance 7,800 * Total Cost Savings $475,414
*Does not include possible savings due to less maintenance costs, parts and oil.
Increase Transportation LimitsRevenue Enhancement
Currently the District only receives state aid on approximately 76% of transportation expenses. This is the percentage of “allowable miles” driven for children who live at least 1.5 miles from their school.
If the District’s mileage limits were equal to the State-Aidable limits, the District would receive State Aid on 100% of its expenditures.
Projected State Aid if Limits Were Increased $2,415,230Current State Aid $1,839,506Additional State Aid $575,724
* Does not include the possible sale of buses.
Potential Transportation Savings
Increase Transportation Limits
Total Cost Savings $475,414
Additional State Aid $575,724
Total Budget Impact per Year $1,051,138
Sale of Property & Increasing Transportation Mileage Limits
Both options will require voter approval
Could help us beginning with 2015-16 School Year when the District will have significantly less Fund Balance to appropriate.
Establishing a Pre-K Program
Mission
To give the children of West Babylon the foundation needed to be successful in a 21st century classroom.
Benefits
Addition of an in-District Pre-K program would be an enhancement to the District and be of interest to new residents
Curriculum aligned with Common Core Learning Standards
Little or no cost to the taxpayer and school District.
Available class space to implement in Fall, 2014.
Program Overview
Pre-K provided by SCOPE Educational Services
SCOPE is a not-for-profit organization.
SCOPE has been a Pre-K provider for over 20 years.
SCOPE is now providing Pre-K programs in 17 Districts, serving over 1,200 students.
Program HighlightsComplies with all NYS Regulations.
Curriculum approved by NYS and follows the Common Core Learning Standards.
Taught by NYS certified teachers and qualified teacher assistants.
Class meets according to school District calendar.
Class length of 2 ½ hours per session (AM & PM).
Parent-teacher conferences held twice per year.
Current tuition - $275 per month.
9:1 ratio with a maximum of 18 children in each class.
A daily nutritious snack is provided for each child with a peanut-free environment.
Additional Benefits
SCOPE provides supervision and responsibility of staff.
Security guard provided by SCOPE.
All instructional and consumable supplies provided by SCOPE.
Opportunities for parental involvement are welcomed.
Financial assistance may be available through SCOPE for families in need.
Program Outcomes
Readiness skills that will be transitioned into the West Babylon kindergarten program.
Collaboration between Pre-K and kindergarten teachers.
West Babylon Pre-School Children Can Now Fly Like An Eagle
“Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle”
Rethinking the Use of District Schools
Why are We Here?Budgetary concerns
Maximizing utilization of existing space
Projected declining enrollment
•Current Enrollment: 4,121 students
•Projected Enrollment:
•14-15: 4,013
•15-16: 3,947
•16-17: 3,857
•17-18: 3,789
These three concerns led us to ask……
Can We Function with One Less Building?
Total enrollment indicates we have available space.
JHS and SHS were taken out of the mix for they do not have enough space to fit another grade level.
We then moved to the next level of possibility: closing one elementary building.
What Did We Look At?
Inventory of space in each building
Current Enrollment and Projected Enrollment
Location and mode of transportation
Aspects of the building and property
Necessary repairs based on the facility five year plan
Operating Costs
Forest Avenue FactsBuilt 1956 Enrollment 340
Square Footage
45,618 Transported
Beyond 1.5 mi.
273
47Acreage 18 (shared with Tooker) Kilowatt
Usage21,120
Construction Materials
masonry walls, steel joists and cement type material (tectum) as the roof
Therm UsagePer Sq. Ft.
.049
Repair Costs
$3.8 Million(includes elevator)
Cafeteria Size (sq. ft.)
1,800
Sale/LeasePotential
Campus School GymnasiumSize (sq. ft.)
3,902
JFK FactsBuilt 1965 Enrollment 401
Square Footage
58,897 Transported
Beyond 1.5 mi.
298
132Acreage 18.3 (shared with So.
Bay)KilowattUsage
20,160
Construction Materials
masonry walls, steel joists and cement type material (tectum) as the roof
Therm UsagePer Sq. Ft.
.044
Repair Costs
$3.5 Million Cafeteria Size (sq. ft.)
2,100
Sale/LeasePotential
Campus School GymnasiumSize (sq. ft.)
4,000
South Bay FactsBuilt 2011 Enrollment 352
Square Footage
46,620 Transported
Beyond 1.5 mi.
268
165Acreage 18.3 (shared with JFK) Kilowatt
Usage16,800
Construction Materials
masonry walls, steel joists and steel pan roof
Therm UsagePer Sq. Ft.
.038
Repair Costs
None Cafeteria Size (sq. ft.)
2,080
Sale/LeasePotential
Campus SchoolLocated on Main Road
GymnasiumSize (sq. ft.)
3,810
Santapogue FactsBuilt 1951 Enrollment 384
Square Footage
55,536 Transported
Beyond 1.5 mi.
206
4Acreage 8 Kilowatt
Usage22,680
Construction Materials
masonry walls, wood joists and wood roof
Therm UsagePer Sq. Ft.
.081
Repair Costs
$4.5 Million Cafeteria Size (sq. ft.)
3,100
Sale/LeasePotential
Located on Main Road GymnasiumSize (sq. ft.)
3,773
Tooker FactsBuilt 1962 Enrollment 335
Square Footage
52,598 Transported
Beyond 1.5 mi.
331
159Acreage 18 (shared with Forest) Kilowatt
Usage21,200
Construction Materials
masonry walls, steel joists and cement type material (tectum) as the roof
Therm UsagePer Sq. Ft.
.041
Repair Costs
$3.7 Million Cafeteria Size (sq. ft.)
2,135
Sale/LeasePotential
Campus School GymnasiumSize (sq. ft.)
4,064
Forest JFK Santapogue South Bay Tooker
Current number of students (November
2013)340 401 384 352 335
Number of Students (based on
transportation data)337 392 369 344 324
# Students transported
273 331 206 268 298
# transported students resulting in state aid (more than
1.5 miles)
47 159 4 165 132
# Walkers 64 61 163 76 26
Comparisons
401 335
392 324
331 226
4 165
163 26
Forest JFK Santapogue South Bay Tooker
Sale/Lease potential
Campus School
Campus School
Located on main road
Campus School
Size of cafetorium
2,135 sq. ft. 2,080 sq. ft. 2,100 sq. ft.
Size of gymnasium
3,902 sq. ft. 3,810 sq. ft. 4,000 sq. ft.
Potential for
expansion
Up to 615 students
Up to 615 students
Comparisons
Located on
main road
Located on main
road/ campus school
1800 sq. ft.
3100 sq. ft.
4,064 sq. ft.
3,773 sq. ft.
Up to 700
students
Up to 500
students
Up to 700
students
Forest JFK Santapogue South Bay Tooker
Year Constructed
1956 1965 1962
Square Footage
55,536 46,620 52,298
Property Acreage
18 acres 18 acres
Capital Repair cost
$3.8 million (includes elevator)
$3.5 million $3.7 million
Comparisons
1951 2011
45,618 58,987
8 acres
18.3 acres
18.3 acres
$4.5 million $0
Forest JFK Santapogue South Bay Tooker
Kilowatt usage (2009)
21,120 21,200 20,160
Therm usage per sq. ft.
(2009)0.049 0.041 0.044
Construction materials
masonry walls, steel joists and
cement type material as the
roof(tectum)
masonry walls, steel joists and
cement type material as the
roof(tectum)
masonry walls, steel joists and
cement type material as the
roof(tectum)
Comparisons
22,680 16,800
.038.081
masonry wall, wood
joists, wood roof
masonry walls, steel
joists, steel pan
roof
Maximizing efficient use of:
Instructional classrooms
Instructional areas for specials and remediation
Support areas
Gym and cafeteria
Other areas (hallways, bathrooms, etc.)
What Does Utilization of Space Mean?
Study of use of space and alternatives to maximize that same space
Non-Instructional Spaces (PTA, I.T.S., conference rooms, etc.)Support Classrooms (Remedial Services)
Are full-sized rooms necessary?How does the schedule affect room utilization?Can programs share space more efficiently?
Fitness RoomsEquipment provided through a grant
Repeated RoomsTwo (2) music spaces in one buildingDesignated “Computer Room” for Laptop Lab, etc.
What is Compression?
WEST BABYLON UFSD
TOOKER
FOREST
JUNIOR HIGH
HIGH SCHOOL
JFKSOUTH BAY
SANTAPOGUE
How Many Classrooms Could Be Gained Through Compression?
8.5 – 16.5 classrooms (depends on which building would close)
These rooms could be used as grade level classrooms or remedial space as needed to absorb the transfer of students due to consolidation and reDistricting.
Projections and Timeline
Compression combined with declining enrollment suggests that four elementary buildings could be a possibility within 2 - 5 years. Factors include:
Building/grade configurations
ReDistricting
Is There Enough Space in Four Schools?
Projections show that in 2 - 5 years, additional classrooms would be needed in each of the four buildings to accommodate enrollment.
However….
Compression creates approximately 14 classrooms (3.5 classrooms per building) making four elementary schools in 2 - 5 years a realistic possibility.
For Further InvestigationClosing a building could potentially save a minimum of $1 millionFour buildings housing students in grades K - 5Two buildings housing students in grades K - 2 and two buildings housing students in grades 3 - 5Campus SchoolsClosed building could provide unique, specialized education programs
Pre-KMagnet school In-District Tech program???
Acknowledgements
The Study Group wishes to thank the Board of Educationfor providing this opportunity. We also wish to expressour gratitude to the West Babylon Administration for itsopenness and responsiveness to our requests.
We would be pleased to entertain any questions from the
Board of Education