Sachem administration schedules Nov. 19 presentation after demographer’s enrollment analysis

District administrators told trustees that a district-funded demographer has finished enrollment projections and classroom space analyses and will return on Nov. 19 with recommendations about feasibility and impacts of possible school closings.

Michelle (administration) said the demographer, Ross and his team, have completed projections and are preparing a room-utilization report. She said the demographer has requested housing information from the three towns in the district; Islip has provided some data while Smithtown and Brookhaven remain outstanding.

“The enrollment projections have been completed,” Michelle told the board, adding that the demographer will evaluate special-needs placements and room assignments to ensure surplus or deficit calculations are accurate. “They will be here on November 19 for a recommendation of the feasibility of closing a school and the impact to the other schools in the district,” she said.

Trustees emphasized they are waiting for the demographer’s data and said no decisions about closures have been made. Board members asked administration to provide the demographer’s report in the Friday packet ahead of the Nov. 19 meeting so trustees can prepare questions. Trustees and administration also said they will hold public forums and meet with union representatives (SCTA, SAA) before any closure decision is finalized.

The board scheduled the demographer’s presentation and indicated the district will continue the analysis in public session.