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Chariho committee moves forward on unified elementary campus; Charlestown to vote on land conveyance
Summary
District staff recommended a Charlestown site for a unified elementary campus after evaluating more than 60 parcels; the design was revised to two smaller buildings for youngest learners, the Bureau of Veritas report shows more than $52 million in five-year facility needs, and Charlestown will hold an Aug. 4 referendum on conveying the elementary site.
The Chariho school committee advanced plans for a unified elementary campus, with district staff recommending Charlestown as the site that best fits educational, operational and cost requirements after reviewing more than 60 properties.
"We found sites that were promising, but in the end, the course were beyond our budget," said district official Mr. Zenyion, who presented the stage-two update. He said the Bureau of Veritas facilities assessment (to be published shortly) estimates more than $52 million in elementary-school needs over the next five years and noted an additional deterioration value of about $28 million over the same period.
Design work evolved during the public-engagement process. To address community concerns that youngest learners might feel overwhelmed in one large building, architects revised the plan from a single facility to two structures, internally named the Early Explorers Academy and the Innovators Academy. District staff explained that two separate buildings likely have less roof area and may be less expensive to heat than a single large structure.
Charlestown's town council has already acted: it voted to place a question on a special referendum for Aug. 4 so Charlestown voters can decide whether to relinquish the elementary school property for demolition and lease the land to the district. "The district will own the building. Charlestown will retain the land and lease it to the district," Charlestown council member Deborah Carney said, noting that the council will hold a public hearing July 7.
The committee discussed next steps and public outreach: stage-two documentation must be submitted to the state by Sept. 15 and the district plans an informational campaign. Committee members urged ongoing agenda touch points on the project so the public can receive regular updates as the stage-two submission and the November bond referendum approach.
What happens next: Charlestown residents will vote on Aug. 4 on the local land-disposal question; the district will finalize a stage-two application to the Rhode Island school-building authority in mid-September and prepare for a November bond referendum to fund construction.
This account is based on the committee's stage-two update and public remarks by district officials and Charlestown council members at the meeting.
