LONGMEADOW – The multi-stage process of examining changes to Longmeadow Public Schools’ (LPS) two middle school buildings is moving ahead in preparation for the fall Special Town Meeting.

Superintendent M. Martin O’Shea said he was scheduled to participate in a “kickoff call” with Town Manager Lyn Simmons, the town’s chief financial officer, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Thomas Mazza and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on Aug. 12. The call is the beginning of the eligibility period for the Glenbrook Middle School building project.

O’Shea explained that he planned to ask the town to approve funding for a feasibility study. While he could not pinpoint the cost, O’Shea said it would be a “significant investment,” and represent a “deeper dive” than the building assessments done so far.

School Committee Clerk Kevin Shea asked O’Shea what timeline the town could expect before the Special Town Meeting in the fall.

O’Shea explained that there were two major tasks that needed to be completed by then. The first is public outreach informing the town of the condition of the two middle schools. Provided the Select Board adds the district’s article to the warrant, School Committee Chair Nicole Choiniere said the district would schedule public forums to receive opinions from the public and share information.

The second step is the creation of the building committee, which must be established by Sept. 30. The School Committee had created a subcommittee to determine the structure of the building committee and O’Shea said the group recommended a 16-person committee with nine voting members and seven people who would serve in an advisory capacity. He said these individuals would, “represent and give voice to all stakeholders.”

O’Shea said the voting members would include two School Committee members, one Select Board member, the superintendent, the town manager and four “at large” positions – two with “an understanding of the educational mission and school facilities” chosen by the School Committee and two chosen by the Select Board who have “experience with architecture, construction or engineering.”

Also represented on the committee will be the purchasing officer, Department of Public Works, school principals and the town’s chief financial officer. The owner’s project manager would be hired once funding is passed.

The committee voted to sign off on MSBA paperwork committing to the MSBA grant program and an attestation of understanding that funding is not assured and must be sought at each step of the process.

Free Meals

Mazza asked the committee to approve a raise in meal prices, but despite this, explained students would pay nothing for lunches in the 2022-2023 school year.

The Massachusetts Legislature provided for free school meals in the budget for this year, but Mazza said United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations still apply. To be eligible for the reimbursement of meals, school districts must charge rates roughly equal to the USDA-set meal reimbursement rates. To meet that, Mazza suggested raising meal costs by $.25 to $3 for elementary students, $3.25 for middle schoolers, $3.50 for high school students and $3.75 for adult lunches.

When asked, Mazza assured the committee that there would still be a la carte options for students at the high school and, to a lesser extent, at the middle school. Students would also be able to purchase an extra meal if desired.

Mazza estimated 55 percent to 60 percent of students avail themselves of school-provided lunches.

School Committee Vice Chair Mary Keane had some concern the program could backfire. She said if the Legislature does not continue to provide money for free school meals, students may be left on the hook for the higher prices. Mazza told her the district is required to re-evaluate meal prices yearly and adjust them as needed.

The committee approved the change.

Revolving Fund Shortfall

Mazza reported that the athletics revolving account has a $230,000 shortfall. He cited transportation costs, explaining that buses are not always available from the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative and buses from other vendors can cost two or three times as much. On average, roughly $60,000 is spent per year on transportation. Last year saw the district spend $130,000.

School Committee member Gianna Allentuck asked how many buses are needed and if it would make financial sense for LPS to purchase its own. Depending on the season and the schedule of games, the district needs an average of two or three buses, but sometimes as many as five. As to whether to buy them, Mazza said fuel and storage costs would have to be considered, as well as how much it would be to hire drivers who can be available on an as needed basis.

The funding issue will eventually come before the School Committee for a vote.