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Consultants flag several 'viable' grade‑configuration models for Region 4
Summary
CES presented a table of configuration options — including K–8 models, K–6 in two buildings and a K–4/5–8 split — and called some options 'viable' for further study based on section counts and classroom utilization; presenters warned that viability does not mean immediate implementability.
Consultants from Cooperative Educational Services walked the joint boards through an array of configuration models they evaluated for Region 4, saying a handful are worth additional study while others are constrained by current building footprints and program needs.
"Based on sections and classroom utilization, some configurations are viable — meaning worthy of further investigation — and some are not," said Dr. Luke Forshaw. The team showed scenarios in which the district could retain Valley Regional High School as the shared 9–12 facility while reconfiguring elementary and middle grades in different combinations.
One highlighted option would move toward K–8 schools while retaining the regional high school; presenters noted that core‑classroom utilization in some combined schools could reach 95–99%, which leaves almost no room for growth or shared spaces such as cafeterias and special‑education pull‑outs. "Above 95% utilization would be desired for elementary buildings on a national level; 99% without consideration of other spaces would leave you with no space for growth," Forshaw said.
Presenters also described tuition arrangements as an alternative in which one town pays to send students to another’s facility, a model that exists in Connecticut. They stressed that any configuration labeled viable in the report requires further, more granular study of common areas, special‑education placements and transportation impacts before being advanced toward statutory steps or referenda.
Board members challenged some of the capacity math and asked consultants to disclose the district data and formulas used to calculate building capacities; presenters said those details are included in source materials and will be made available in the full report.
