Clarksburg School Seeing Residential Enrollment Rise
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — As talk once again turns to the possibility of a school project, the School Committee wants to clear up misconceptions about enrollment.
School choice students had made up about 25 percent or more of the student body at one time; that's now down to 17 percent and will fall off rapidly in the next few years.
"The numbers in our school are pretty clear that people are moving into town to attend the school," said Superintendent John Franzoni at last Thursday's School Committee meeting, held virtually.
There are currently 172 pupils in prekindergarten through Grade 8, of which 34 are school choice.
There are no school-choice students in kindergarten and first grade, and no non-Clarksburg children in prekindergarten, which is ages 3 and 4 years. The School Committee has not opened slots to school choice since 2023.
The bulk of the school choice numbers are in Grades 6 through 8 — a total of 22.
"That's a far cry from all the people I hear that say, why would we invest in our building when half of the kids are out of town," Franzoni said. "They're not. Most of the building, 83 percent of the building, is Clarksburg residents, and that's going to increase, because 27 of those 34 students are Grades 5 and above that are school choice."
The increase in residential enrollment is being seen in Chapter 70 state education funding, which is expected to rise this coming year by $120,000, on top of the $255,000 received this year.
"That's about $375,000 in additional Chapter 70 money that the town is receiving because we have so many additional families with children moving in and attending school," the superintendent said.
The enrollment is expected to be a major factor on which direction the town goes with a school project. Officials have considered trying again for a project through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (a $19 million project was rejected in 2017), do a borrowing to address priority renovations or do nothing/close the school.
The issue has come to the fore largely over the school roof, which has begun leaking, and "multiple issues that have been cropping up recently," according to Franzoni. "We're just concerned about the ongoing maintenance and issues with various parts of the building."
There is water testing being done, equipment needs in the cafeteria including a grease trap that may to be replaced, and flooring in several classrooms.
"The reality is, I don't think that an accelerated repair for the roof is an option, because it would take several years, probably four or five years, before anything would happen through that program," he said. "I do question, based on past conversations I had with the people at the MSBA if they would even consider Clarksburg for accelerated repair, because they know there's a lot more that needs to be done to the building than just a roof."
Town Administrator Ronald Boucher noted that a request for proposals has been issued for the roof and that the Select Board has discussed the possibility of borrowing for more than the roof, if voters will approve a debt exclusion.
"Maybe we can do a $5 million borrowing. We talked about that. That's something we got to decide. I've been working with the town clerk — I want to have a question on the ballot this year for the school," he said.
"I know that the division and problems it causes, but I think if we did a vote, and I was going have a questionnaire to see if the town would support a school project, at least one way or the other we'll know where we're at."
Select Board member Colton Andrew thought the debt exclusion was kind of a "mid-tier" option, and said, "I think everyone on this call probably agrees is not, I think, a viable option about the regionalization discussions with North Adams, which I firmly will stand against."
He thought there may be a need for a more substantial investment, saying, "I think at that $9 [million] to $10 [million] range you could see some dramatic changes, I think internally within the building. ...
"If we're going to make some of these investments, I think let's do it. Let's do it the right way the first time, rather than have to go back and deal with some of these issues with a temporary fix now."
Assistant Superintendent Tara Barnes pointed out that the town had firmly rejected a $19 million renovation eight years ago.
"I know it's a different, it's many years later, but just to put it in perspective for everyone who's on the call, it would have cost the town $7.7 million at that time for a completely renovated head to toe, everything," she said.
Franzoni said it was important to keep having these conversations to make sure students, staff and faculty have a safe space to learn "and a place that doesn't show the failings that we're showing right now."
He said he appreciated the support of the town administrator and Select Board and stressed the importance of keeping residents informed. School Committee Chair Laura Wood agreed.
"Keep the future in mind, and I think the reality of the numbers are going to show that they're a little frightening, but that's just what it's going to show is this the reality," she said "And there's a lot to be done. Hopefully, we'll make some headway."
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