School Board debates future of Ackerson Building

Last Monday, the school board heard the long anticipated recommendations from the building configuration committee presented by committee member Tom Mann. According to Superintendent Vannatter, the board did not vote on the recommendation and instead indicated they had additional questions and would like to continue the discussion at another meeting.

As expected, the recommendation was made to close the Ackerson building. The committee made no recommendation about how to proceed with the rented space currently occupied by the Manchester Co-op Preschool, the Community Resource Center and the groups who rent the gym. The committee recommended moving First Steps/Early On, the Manchester Early Childhood Center and Early Childhood Special Education, all currently based in the Ackerson building, to Klager and that the Central Administration Office be moved to either the High School or Middle School.

The list of recommendations included keeping K-12 grades where they are now, at least for the 2016 – 2017 school year. While no K-12 grades are being shifted for the coming school year, the committee recommends that “in order to gain efficiency and implement effective programs,” an annual review of building usage should occur at which time grade level relocation could be decided on. The committee also recommends that the review begin immediately after fall student count and be completed by the February School Board meeting, and that some type of community engagement should coincide with any relocation of grades.

The the next regular school board meeting is scheduled May 16, 2016 at 6 pm in the Ackerson Board Room.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.