Ridgefield consultants present master‑plan framework and a $197.5M 10‑year FCA estimate; committee asked to set goals

Consultants from M&P Planning and Studio Jade presented a multi‑stage master‑planning approach—discovery, site screening, option development and implementation—built on three primary technical inputs: enrollment projections, capacity/utilization analysis and facility condition assessments (FCAs).

Mike Zuba (M&P Planning) outlined the projection models the team uses—low, medium and high—to test options over a 10‑year horizon. He said the district’s planning midpoint is the primary baseline for detailed option work; consultant slides showed district K–5 enrollment projected to rise modestly (planning midpoint approximately 1,840 students) while the high school cohort is expected to decline about 7% over the decade.

Pat Gallagher summarized the capacity and utilization study: teams inventoried spaces, applied programmatic deductions to normalize comparisons across schools and used a planning‑capacity baseline of roughly 19 students per classroom. The study finds most buildings will operate between about 85% and 100% of planning capacity in the next five years; Farmingville is projected to exceed 100%, while Scots/Scotsridge and East Ridge show differing utilization patterns that will factor into options for rebalancing or repurposing space.

Pam Pabuka of Studio Jade presented the FCA results for 11 buildings (six elementary, two middle, one high school and two athletic support buildings). The consolidated 10‑year figure presented to the committee totaled about $197.5 million; mechanical/plumbing, interior finishes and the building envelope were the largest categories of need. Pam emphasized the FCA scope looked at buildings “as they exist” and that the dollar figure groups priority needs over 1, 3, 5 and 10‑year timeframes.

Committee members asked operational questions about what portion of the FCA estimate would be capital versus ongoing operational expenditures; Joe Meritz (on the line) said the draft report still needs parsing and that some items will be managed as operational maintenance while others will be capital projects that require different funding strategies.

The energy‑analysis team briefed members that aging HVAC equipment and a lack of building controls are the primary drivers of poor energy intensity; the district’s existing photovoltaic installations are producing meaningful output and pairing PV with upgraded equipment and controls would improve results. Consultants also warned that expanding a non‑sprinkler building could trigger code requirements to install sprinklers, a change with significant cost implications.

Consultants asked the committee to return at the next meeting (late April) with prioritized master‑plan goals and to be prepared to brainstorm high‑level options; the team will then develop a short list of viable options for concept‑level analysis and cost estimating.

The meeting adjourned after a voice vote.