The Board of Education (BoE) took several actions at its regular monthly meeting held on April 7, 2021 to advance a more inclusive capital planning process aimed at addressing identified needs of the aging Sherman School facility. Recognizing the public demands to modify approach and better engage a variety of stakeholders, the BoE affirmed appointments to expand membership of its Special Committee on Capital Planning (SCCP), members include:
➔ Board of Selectmen - Don Lowe, First Selectman
➔ Democratic Town Committee - Dave Silvay
➔ Republican Town Committee - Jared Bonner
➔ Sherman Parent Teacher Organization - Kerry Merkel
➔ Sherman Education Association - Tim McGuire
➔ Matt Vogt (BoE) - Chair, Special Cmt. on Capital Planning
➔ Tim Laughlin (BoE) - Chair, Maintenance Cmt.
The BoE also approved a series of SCCP recommendations to advance a planning process which seeks to identify a less costly comprehensive approach to resolving the many pressing capital needs of the school facility and site. These efforts aim to address the demonstrated problems plaguing an aging facility comprised of four separate additions (1961, 1990s, and 2000) to the original 1937 schoolhouse, commonly referred to as the “K-Wing”, which has been closed since 2015 due to health and safety concerns. An assessment of facility conditions conducted in 2018 indicated that the older portions of the building, which represent approximately fifty percent of the overall facility footprint, are currently rated in poor condition or would be starting in 2024.
The SCCP is committed to ensuring any plan that is developed appropriately balances the minimizing of taxpayer cost with meeting the needs of Sherman students and educators. To that end, the BoE adopted the SCCP’s recommended capital project planning goals which include:
➔ Replacing major infrastructure at the end of useful life (roofs, windows, doors, playgrounds, exterior hardscape).
➔ Replacing the“K-Wing” with an architecturally appropriate alternative befitting Sherman’s town center.
➔ Modernizing building systems and components (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and life safety).
➔ Enhancing safety and security (bringing site and facility to modern standards).
➔ Creating flexible educational spaces adaptable to changing needs and fluctuating enrollment.
➔ Exploring community uses and maintaining facility as Sherman’s designated emergency shelter.
➔ Minimizing learning disruptions during required construction without the use of portable classrooms.
The SCCP will continue the development of a more modest path forward that is reflective of our community, better appreciates declining enrollment while maintaining small class size, and maximizes grants and other supports to offset taxpayer cost. All members of the SCCP can be easily reached by emailing "
[email protected]", your input and feedback is important and we hope to hear from you.