Rochester: Magnet school program is safe, but Maple Street building's future unclear

ROCHESTER — Discussions about funding heating, ventilation and air conditioning work needed at Maple Street Magnet School have called the building's future into question.

City and school leaders are assuring the future of the grades K-5 magnet school program is not in jeopardy, even as they are rejecting federal funds for the HVAC work, and as the city considers closing two other elementary schools as part of a potential consolidation.

"No one wants to remove the magnet program," Mayor Paul Callaghan said. "And no decisions have been made about the Maple Street location, but if it were to close, the magnet program can be moved elsewhere."

What is the Maple Street Magnet School?

The magnet program is considered a jewel in the city. Student admission is by lottery.

Per their district information, "a magnet school is part of the local public school system. They operate under the same administration and school board. The important point is that magnet schools are schools of choice — children are enrolled based on their interest in the school, not based upon where they live. While magnet schools may have a general theme, students still study subjects aligned to local, state or national standards of learning (i.e. Common Core), More often than not, magnet schools involve hands-on learning that is inquiry and performance based."

In Rochester, the magnet school is open 200 days per school year (rather than the state-required 180) and it "offers special programs" not available in other city schools.

Rochester's future likely to include school consolidation

Rochester, which has eight public elementary schools, is looking at consolidation in the future.

Superintendent Kyle Repucci announced at the Nov. 11 school board meeting that the Rochester School District has been ranked No. 1 on New Hampshire's list of districts in need of school building aid — for a project that would build a new elementary school and result in consolidating and closing two of the city's elementary schools.

More:Rochester may combine two elementary schools. What to know about why and when.

Rochester's request is for more than $20.1 million, about 60% of the $33.6 million cost. The state Legislature must approve the funds before plans could move forward, a decision that could come next year.

Repucci said two of the city's elementary schools would likely be closed and consolidated: the Nancy Loud and School Street schools. Both buildings are more than 100 years old.

So is the Maple Street Magnet School building.

Why the HVAC work at Maple Street Magnet School is significant

At the recent board meeting, School Board Chair Paul Lynch said the city did not want to sign off of HVAC work at Maple Street Magnet School. The $91,000 was to set to be funded through the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.

City Manager Blaine Cox said the federal ESSER Fund is administered by the Department of Education in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides emergency financial assistance to public school districts across the country.

Lynch said the ESSER grant would come with strings, one being the district would need to guarantee the Maple Street building would remain in use as a school for the life of project, which could be 20 or more years.

"Even at 15 to 20 years, that is a long commitment, and I think the City Council is unwilling to make that," Cox said. "I think they want more options."

So, the School Board is back to square one on funding the HVAC work. Lynch said the district will not seek the ESSER grant.

"I plan on reviewing our options with the school board in December," he said. "We will look at all the options and decide how to move forward."

Callaghan said he and Cox met with Lynch on Monday afternoon.

"(Lynch) told us that the School Board will not apply ESSER funds for the Maple School because of the strings attached to the federal funding," he said. "They’ll use that grant money for other qualified projects."

Rochester's future may bring a larger elementary school

Callaghan said, depending on finding the right property, a larger elementary school would be financially sound "when you look at it from an economy to scale perspective."

"If Maple School was one of the schools to close, we would suggest that the magnet program be transferred to a newer and  improved facility," Callaghan said. "Maple Street School is over 100 years old and the school board has invested a lot of money on its upkeep over the past few years. It makes financial and practical sense to include more schools in the plan if a larger school can be built. We have eight elementary schools right now. It costs a lot of money to maintain those eight schools. A larger school would provide a better learning environment for the students and our exceptional teachers in the district."

More:Rochester school district seeks land for new elementary school: Do you know a location?

Lynch said the magnet program is a great success. He said they will find space for it elsewhere, if needed.

Callaghan indicated a location for a new school must be found before a joint building committee could be formed to develop the project.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester: Magnet school program safe, Maple Street building uncertain