School's condition ranked a '3'

By Natasha Clark

Reminder Assistant Editor

LONGMEADOW As Reminder Publications previously reported, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) recently released their statewide Needs Survey Report baseline data about the general conditions of locally-owned public school facilities throughout the Commonwealth.

Using a scale of one to four, four meaning the school may need substantial work, Longmeadow High School received a category 3 placement.

Superintendent Dr. Scott AndersEn told Reminder Publications that he disagrees with the MSBA's assessment.

"LHS should be [a category] 4," AndersEn said.

According to information provided by the MSBA, as required by state statute, the MSBA "conducted a Needs Survey/pre-assessment of school facilities throughout the Commonwealth. Through a competitive selection process, the Authority engaged DeJONG, an education planning firm, to lead this effort. Data collectors visited all public k-12 school facilities and collected baseline data on the physical conditions of school buildings."

Carrie M. Sullivan, Public Information Officer of the MSBA, explained "The baseline facility information and the general condition of each school facility collected during the Needs Survey, and the information that a city/town/regional school district provides to the Authority on the Statement of Interest Form, will play an important role in the Authority's need-based process when decisions are made in 2007 for new grant applications.

"In addition, if the Board of the Authority deems it appropriate as part of accepting a community's grant application for a project, the Board may fund a professional Facilities Assessment to get a comprehensive architectural and engineering assessment of the facility."

Sullivan also said "the Authority is still in the process of drafting regulations; however, as required by statute, the Authority shall approve school projects and reimbursements in accordance with eight priorities."

The eight priorities are outlined in the Statement of Interest Form.

The Longmeadow School Committee has not taken a position on the future of LHS. The Longmeadow High School Facility Study Committee recommended building a new high school.