NEW GLARUS - The New Glarus School District Building and Grounds Committee met with several members of the school administration and staff Friday to discuss the increasing need for more classrooms and storage.
Instructional space is being "eaten up by stuff," said Committee Chairman David Noyce. He said the storage of items on the floor detracts from appearance, and hinders maintenance and upkeep.
"It gives the students the perception that they don't have to keep stuff picked up," he said.
Staff members will be making lists of needs in their areas to be reviewed at the next meeting in two weeks.
Among the areas discussed were critical core areas: elementary class rooms, art and music, special education, as well as storage, administration and transportation. High school and library spaces will be taken up at the next meeting.
Elementary population in 4K-second grade is expected to increase, and will require another two classrooms. Each of the third, fourth and fifth grades are expected to increase from three to four sections in 2010-11.
Growth in the school has exceeded the five-year projection estimates, done about three years ago. Much of the underestimates was caused by the unanticipated increase of families with older children moving into the area.
Other ideas for space needs included a dedicated room for elementary sciences, which District Administrator Barb Thompson said would facilitate teaching the sciences and reduce preparation time for teachers.
Band classes are in need of more sound-proof rooms and more storage space. Sound-proofed rooms also would allow band practice and individual lessons to be held at the same time.
More classrooms would mean an increased need of space for maintenance. The present art room would need to be used to increase the maintenance area.
The group also identified a need for more computer space, and the possible need for media journalism and video classes.
In the high school music department, choir is seen as a top priority, needing a better acoustical room. Secondary to the department's need is more storage for equipment, music, instruments and uniforms.
Instructional space is being "eaten up by stuff," said Committee Chairman David Noyce. He said the storage of items on the floor detracts from appearance, and hinders maintenance and upkeep.
"It gives the students the perception that they don't have to keep stuff picked up," he said.
Staff members will be making lists of needs in their areas to be reviewed at the next meeting in two weeks.
Among the areas discussed were critical core areas: elementary class rooms, art and music, special education, as well as storage, administration and transportation. High school and library spaces will be taken up at the next meeting.
Elementary population in 4K-second grade is expected to increase, and will require another two classrooms. Each of the third, fourth and fifth grades are expected to increase from three to four sections in 2010-11.
Growth in the school has exceeded the five-year projection estimates, done about three years ago. Much of the underestimates was caused by the unanticipated increase of families with older children moving into the area.
Other ideas for space needs included a dedicated room for elementary sciences, which District Administrator Barb Thompson said would facilitate teaching the sciences and reduce preparation time for teachers.
Band classes are in need of more sound-proof rooms and more storage space. Sound-proofed rooms also would allow band practice and individual lessons to be held at the same time.
More classrooms would mean an increased need of space for maintenance. The present art room would need to be used to increase the maintenance area.
The group also identified a need for more computer space, and the possible need for media journalism and video classes.
In the high school music department, choir is seen as a top priority, needing a better acoustical room. Secondary to the department's need is more storage for equipment, music, instruments and uniforms.