CARE: Citizen Action for Renovation & Education

Salem High School Renovation

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What is Salem CARE?

Salem CARE’s mission is to urge voters to support the renovation of Salem High School, in order to provide a safe, secure and healthy environment that meets community needs; establish adequate space that is functional, flexible, and promotes learning; and comply with New Hampshire construction standards. The most heavily-utilized building in Salem has safety, security and infrastructure deficiencies, and limited flexibility for contemporary educational programs and community needs.

Vote YES on #10 and #11
Salem School District Vote March 11, 2008

Articles 10 and 11 provide funding for needed architectural and engineering plans for the High School Renovation Project.

WHY NOW?

• It’s time to align our schools with current standards to provide a safe, secure, environment conducive to effective learning.

• SHS capacity is 1,150 students according to state standards. Enrollment after Windham students leave will be 1,600. These articles allow the School District to develop a comprehensive plan that will serve the community for decades.

• Investing in our schools is critical to ensuring a vibrant community that attracts homeowners and new business.

Isn’t it worth the one-time average cost of $43.20?

Take the first step! Vote YES
Tuesday, March 11, 2008

SUPPORT EDUCATION

For information about registering to vote, or to request an absentee ballot, contact Salem Town Clerk Barbara Lessard at 890-2110.

 

Background

In the spring of 2005, SHS renovation became a goal of the administration. In the fall of '05, a facilities committee was formed to assess the present state of the high school and make recommendations. The following spring, an architectural firm (the same firm that designed the new Sanborn high school off of Rte 111) was hired to draft plans for a new Salem High School.

The indisputable conclusion of the transition committee, a facilities audit and an NEASC report: Salem High School has safety, security and infrastructure deficiencies, and limited flexibility for contemporary educations programs and community needs.

Facility Committee goals:

  • Develop a facility plan that addresses deficiencies and needs, and will be supported by the community.
  • Ensure the facility is safe and secure, and provides a healthy environment that meets the community's needs.
  • Establish adequate space that is functional and promotes learning.

Why do we need more space? Next fall, over Windham students are leaving Salem High School, resulting in a 22,000 square foot gain in space. However, the portable classrooms (which the town of Windham has funded) will be removed by the fall of 2009.

The school requires roughly 55,000 square feet of space to accommodate its present student population. Additional space is required for the library, science labs, chorus and band, IT, athletic facilities and auditorium.

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Our recommendations
  • Address all safety and security deficiencies.
  • Address all infrastructure and code compliance deficiencies.
  • Bring the science labs and library up to state standards.
  • Upgrade TV and Audio/Visual to support current technology needs.
  • Classroom utilization at 85%, which is recommended by NH construction standards and provides more flexible and realistic scheduling.
  • Create a new athletic facility (from 48,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft), which frees space to address educational deficiencies.
  • Improve and expand music facilities to accommodate a full band and chorus.
  • Improve the auditorium, and expand stage for community meetings, theater and other uses.
  • Centralize IT services.
  • Renovate all classrooms.

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    When would this happen? Construction would begin in 2009, and classroom renovation would be complete by 2011.

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    How much would this cost? Assuming a $40 million bond, at 4% interest, for 20 years, factoring in a 30% cost to the state, and based on a home valued at $300,000, the estimated impact on the property tax bill would be approximately 65 cents per thousand.

    This translates to roughly $195 per year, or $16.25 per month. This amount would decrease each year, by roughly 1.8 cents per thousand.

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    Benefits
  • A safe and secure building.
  • Compliant with safety codes, regulations and construction standards.
  • Fixes the educational deficiencies today, and provides flexibility for the next 40 years.
  • Expands capacity to meet growing needs of the community.

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    Next steps We urge the voters of Salem to take the following steps:

    • Understand the deficiencies and issues, and the recommendations put forth.
    • Discuss this information with the people in your neighborhood, at your local school, and within your community groups.
    • Rally support for this initiative among your peers.
    • Vote, and get others to vote, in favor of these recommendations.

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