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Board to form select committee to review school building feasibility study
Summary
At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Saranac Lake Central School District Board discussed forming a select committee to review the district's school building feasibility study, agreed on a fact-finding charge and a public engagement process, and asked staff to prepare a volunteer application and screening questions for the committee.
The Saranac Lake Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 11 discussed creating a select committee to review a draft school building feasibility study and to hold public hearings before making recommendations to the full board.
The board discussed membership, size and process. One board member urged a compact group to avoid delay: "I think 10 is probably probably yeah," the committee member said, arguing that larger committees risk prolonged timelines. Board members also proposed including administrators, teachers, parents, students and community representatives to ensure diverse input.
"I'm happy to chair the committee if that helps," the Chair said, volunteering to lead the group's initial work. The board asked staff to solicit letters of intent and to prepare a short questionnaire (via Qualtrics or similar) that would screen for availability, relevant skills and commitment to regular meetings.
Board members emphasized that the committee's role is fact-finding and recommendation. "Committees only make recommendations," the Chair said, noting the full board will remain the ultimate decision-maker. A staff member cited board policy 22-50, which restricts committees to study and advise rather than act on behalf of the board.
Members discussed meeting frequency and public involvement. Several suggested beginning with biweekly meetings and scheduling multiple public hearings so anyone who cannot serve on the committee can still provide input. Staff warned that some work—such as detailed financial analysis—may require administrative time and coordination and that certain operational details would be handled by district staff rather than discussed in public session.
Next steps: the board asked staff to draft the questions and the invitation language, circulate suggested screening questions at the next meeting, and publish the application via the district's usual communications channels so the board can appoint members after reviewing submissions.
Why it matters: The select committee will shape how the district evaluates possible changes to buildings and services, a process board members described as among the most consequential decisions for students, staff and the community over the next decade.
