Simms Proposal Debated
Schools Chief Fields Residents’ Questions
Posted: February 22, 2013
HARRISONBURG — A proposition by Harrisonburg City Schools to use Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center to house 10 prekindergarten classrooms was discussed at an open forum hosted by the Northeast Neighborhood Association at Simms on Thursday.
Residents peppered Harrisonburg City Schools Superintendent Scott Kizner with questions regarding the proposal, one possible solution to the division’s burgeoning student population.
The proposition would move 10 of 15 current prekindergarten classrooms now housed throughout division elementary schools to Simms, which is owned by the city, freeing up those classrooms for older students.
The move, if approved, could happen as soon as 2014.
But by 2016, Kizner said, these classrooms too would be filled.
“The grades with the highest enrollment are the lowest grades,” he said, referencing a graph slanting steadily downward from 462 kindergarten students to 329 high school seniors.
“If we did a preschool here, we would still need to build another school” because of the rising number of elementary-grade students, Kizner said.
“Why not do it right the first time?” asked Stan Maclin, Northeast Neighborhood Association vice president. Maclin said the Simms proposal was a “Band-Aid approach” that only “stops the bleeding.”
Kizner also discussed the idea of including the prekindergarten classrooms in a new elementary school. He said this was probably the best option but building a new school would be expensive.
“To get a building open by 2016, you really have to start the structure by 2014,” Kizner said, adding that according to an architectural study from 2008, the property for a school would have to be purchased this year.
Kizner said the occupancy at Simms would be for the long term if the district does move prekindergarten classrooms there.
Residents expressed concerns about renovations to the historic school, which has stood since 1939 and has been important for community and church events.
“There’s no plans to do any major [reconstruction] to the structure or infrastructure,” Kizner said.
He explained that the renovations would mainly be related to updating the kitchen, potential work on bathrooms and building a few walls to create classrooms.
Kizner added that he encouraged community and civic organizations to use the city’s schools to hold meetings and events.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County has its office in Simms, and residents were concerned about where it would go if Harrisonburg City Schools took control.
Kizner replied that in that case the division would offer the clubs an office at 1 Court Square, where the Harrisonburg School Board and administrative offices are located. In any case, he said, he wants to maintain a connection with the nonprofit youth group.
“We’re ready to go to the schools because that’s where the kids are,” said Bill Carter, Boys & Girls executive director.
In December, the School Board formally asked Harrisonburg City Council for permission to use the building to house its prekindergarten programs to temporarily ease crowding at elementary schools.
At council’s suggestion, the board is continuing to look at other ways to solve space issues within the division and is expected to submit a new list of formal proposals by April.
“The children are coming, and they have been coming,” Kizner said. “And they’re coming to all schools.”
Contact Alex Rohr at 574-6293 or arohr@dnronline.com
Residents peppered Harrisonburg City Schools Superintendent Scott Kizner with questions regarding the proposal, one possible solution to the division’s burgeoning student population.
The proposition would move 10 of 15 current prekindergarten classrooms now housed throughout division elementary schools to Simms, which is owned by the city, freeing up those classrooms for older students.
The move, if approved, could happen as soon as 2014.
But by 2016, Kizner said, these classrooms too would be filled.
“The grades with the highest enrollment are the lowest grades,” he said, referencing a graph slanting steadily downward from 462 kindergarten students to 329 high school seniors.
“If we did a preschool here, we would still need to build another school” because of the rising number of elementary-grade students, Kizner said.
“Why not do it right the first time?” asked Stan Maclin, Northeast Neighborhood Association vice president. Maclin said the Simms proposal was a “Band-Aid approach” that only “stops the bleeding.”
Kizner also discussed the idea of including the prekindergarten classrooms in a new elementary school. He said this was probably the best option but building a new school would be expensive.
“To get a building open by 2016, you really have to start the structure by 2014,” Kizner said, adding that according to an architectural study from 2008, the property for a school would have to be purchased this year.
Kizner said the occupancy at Simms would be for the long term if the district does move prekindergarten classrooms there.
Residents expressed concerns about renovations to the historic school, which has stood since 1939 and has been important for community and church events.
“There’s no plans to do any major [reconstruction] to the structure or infrastructure,” Kizner said.
He explained that the renovations would mainly be related to updating the kitchen, potential work on bathrooms and building a few walls to create classrooms.
Kizner added that he encouraged community and civic organizations to use the city’s schools to hold meetings and events.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County has its office in Simms, and residents were concerned about where it would go if Harrisonburg City Schools took control.
Kizner replied that in that case the division would offer the clubs an office at 1 Court Square, where the Harrisonburg School Board and administrative offices are located. In any case, he said, he wants to maintain a connection with the nonprofit youth group.
“We’re ready to go to the schools because that’s where the kids are,” said Bill Carter, Boys & Girls executive director.
In December, the School Board formally asked Harrisonburg City Council for permission to use the building to house its prekindergarten programs to temporarily ease crowding at elementary schools.
At council’s suggestion, the board is continuing to look at other ways to solve space issues within the division and is expected to submit a new list of formal proposals by April.
“The children are coming, and they have been coming,” Kizner said. “And they’re coming to all schools.”
Contact Alex Rohr at 574-6293 or arohr@dnronline.com