Committee backs advancing Intermediate School library redesign, recommends Option 4

The Merton Community School District Facility Committee voted to advance a proposal to reconfigure the Intermediate School library, with committee members expressing preference for a design that preserves book shelving while adding classroom and district storage space.

Presenter (S1) told the committee the library, now about 3,600 square feet and last substantially remodeled around 2011–2012, could be reduced to roughly 1,800 square feet under the recommended plan and that the district could repurpose the recovered space for an additional classroom and roughly 900 square feet of storage. “We believe option 4 is a really good option for the district because it gains a classroom, it gains district storage, and it allows the library to have some natural light into that space,” Presenter (S1) said.

The plan under discussion included four alternatives: (1) a long, narrow 1,800 sq ft layout with two new classrooms but no natural light; (2) moving the library upstairs to a roughly 2,200 sq ft room (which would add storage but relocate large-group spaces); (3) relocating into existing classrooms (gaining storage but not new classrooms); and (4) reorienting the existing footprint to keep about 1,800 sq ft while adding one classroom and a smaller, more flexible storage area. Committee members raised concerns about noise transfer from rooms above, ceiling and ductwork constraints, and environmental risks such as asbestos; staff said the current proposal would not require wall demolition that would disturb known asbestos and that samples would be taken if questions remain.

On materials and capacity, staff said shelving can be reconfigured to maintain the same lineal footage of books, but seating for large-group use would be reduced: “We will have less square footage to have tables and chairs and things for kids to sit around at,” a Committee member (S2) said. Staff estimated seating could still accommodate roughly a single class (about 24–26 students) for common-table work.

On cost and funding, Presenter (S1) told the committee the most recent price estimate is around $275,000–$280,000, with approximately half the cost for construction and the remainder for furniture, fixtures and equipment. Staff said the project is not in the current 2025–26 operating budget and that the district would likely tap fund balance (Fund 10) to avoid altering other restricted facility funds. Presenter (S1) also said the district has engaged the PTO and that the PTO is prepared to fundraise in support of the project.

Committee member (S3) voiced support for moving the item to the full board and Committee member (S4) seconded; the committee agreed to advance the project for a fuller board discussion and additional design work. The committee asked staff to return to the board with a narrowed recommendation, refined design options and firm contractor bids.

Next steps: staff will refine Option 4 designs, quantify exact construction and furnishings costs, confirm environmental sampling needs, and place the library proposal on the next appropriate board agenda for formal consideration.