Education
Board of Ed Chairman’s State of Town Speech: Schools Will Need More Space
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The Darien High School building, constructed and opened just 10 years ago, is expected to become too small for the student population, new Board of Education Chairman Michael Harman told the Representative Town Meeting on Monday. “Darien High School (DHS) is again facing classroom space concerns as enrollment moves closer to the maximum building capacity of 1,400 students, a number which is forecasted to be exceeded in 2018,” Harman said in his speech, one of four “State of the Town” speeches given Monday night. The town’s elementary school population will also need more classroom space, Harman said: “At present, the district has very limited capacity to accommodate any future growth, without attempting to address either elementary class size policy or use of aging portables.” That means the school district will have to build more classroom space or use “temporary” portable classes, he said: “[A]ll indications are that any recommended course of action could entail some type of facilities project and/or significant capital expenditure. _________
STATE OF THE TOWN SPEECHES: Full texts and descriptions on Darienite.com:
Expect to Get More Housing, Retail Options, Says Stevenson in ‘State of Town’ Address
Finance Board Chairman Expects a Higher Tax Rate Increase Than Last Year’s 2.5%
Planning & Zoning Chair: Decisions on New Housing, ‘Unprecedented’ Commercial Development Coming in 2016
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In September 2014, the Board of Education hired consultants to study district space needs.