Board reviews plan to move Transition Academy and central offices into Bridal building
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Summary
Trustees reviewed staff recommendations to relocate the Transition Academy and consolidate central office functions at the vacant Bridal building to address ADA gaps, reduce rental costs and centralize services; no final vote was taken but staff were directed to prepare motions and budget ranges for next week.
Chairwoman Beth Baer convened the board’s Dec. 3 work session to consider a package of facility changes intended to centralize district administration and better serve students who require specialized services.
District staff presented three options for the vacant Bridal building: move all central administration, special services and the Transition Academy into Bridal; move only Transition Academy and special services and retain the existing central office; or transfer Bridal to a charter school. Dr. Goldhart told trustees the district’s priorities are ADA accessibility, consolidated training and multipurpose spaces, and lower maintenance and utility overhead.
The most consequential proposal would move the Transition Academy—a program for students with IEPs that extends services through age 21—into Bridal. Shelly, who leads the Transition Academy, said the program currently rents a duplex that will not be ADA-compliant for an incoming student who uses a wheelchair. “We spend annually about $22,500 to rent the space and provide Internet there,” Shelly said, adding that the private owner cannot afford the necessary modifications.
Proponents argued a Bridal move would eliminate lease costs, offer better access to public transportation and community supports and provide closer supervision and emergency response than the current off-site rental. Dr. Goldhart said consolidation would also create in-house employment and internship opportunities for Transition Academy students.
Staff presented cost estimates for three remodel approaches for Bridal ranging from a bare-bones $900,000 to a more complete $3.9 million package. Trustees expressed concern about the low-end plan’s tradeoffs for safety and comfort. Trustee Martin asked whether the $900,000 option would meet the board’s earlier stated criteria for safety and functionality; staff said the low-end approach would be ‘‘bare bones’’ and could leave outstanding issues, especially around air conditioning and occupant comfort.
No final decision was taken. Staff asked the trustees for direction on whether to set a budget target (several trustees suggested a midpoint around $3,000,000) or to vote to pursue a specific option. The board agreed to put motions on next week’s agenda — separate motions for Bridal, the maintenance and operations/warehouse proposal, and transportation — with suggested budget figures and the ability to amend at the time of vote.
Next steps: staff will circulate recommended motion language and budget ranges and will present the detailed Excel line-item packet and the number of property offers (including for Old Slade) for trustee action next week.