File:  FCB - RETIREMENT OF FACILITIES

When a school building becomes inadequate by virtue of age, condition, size of site, lack of need, or other overriding limitations, and cannot reasonably and economically be brought up to the current educational standards, the building should be considered for a comprehensive closing study.  The Superintendent will recommend to the School Committee, which facilities appear to justify further analysis.

The School Committee may seek both professional advice and the advice of the community in making its recommendations as to the retirement of any school facility.  This will permit the public, which originally acquired the property, to benefit from its recycling or retirement.

A closing study will include direct involvement by those neighborhoods considered in the study and will be concerned with all or some of the following factors:

1.  Age and current physical condition of the facilities, its operating systems, and program facilities

2.  Adequacy of site, location, access, surrounding development, traffic patterns, and other environmental conditions

3.  Reassignment of children, including alternative plans according to Committee policy

4.  Transportation factors, including numbers of children bused, time, distance, and safety

5.  Alternative uses of the building

6.  Cost/Savings

a.   Personnel

b.   Plant Operation

c.   Transportation

d.   Capital Investment

e.   Alternative Use

7.  Continuity of instructional and community programs

SOURCE:  MASC

NOTE:  Regional school districts have the statutory authority to acquire property.  Thus, the content of a policy in this area might vary slightly from that in the sample policy above. Regional school districts should cite M.G.L. 71:16 at this code.