WHS 2009

WHS Principal Hired
Richard Manley from Hollis, New Hampshire has been hired as the first principal for Windham High School.  He is currently the principal of North Middlesex Regional High School in Townsend, Massachusetts and prior to that was the assistant principal at Hollis Brookline High School in Hollis, New Hampshire.

Among his many accomplishments, Mr. Manley was a Fulbright scholar where he studied in India, and has recently been selected to participate in a principal shadowing program in China. He is also a recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities where he studied Russian history at Harvard University. Mr. Manley's vast global experiences provide the perfect background to lead our students to be critical thinkers, the type of students that tackle the question of "why things are the way they are".

Although his contract won't officially be effective until July 1, 2008, Mr. Manley will immediately begin consulting with the WSD leadership team on administrative, facility, staffing and student-related decisions for Windham High School.

Building Progress - Schedule and Budget
Construction of Windham High School has been progressing smoothly under the guidance of Glenn Davis. The project is right on target for completion by the May/June 2009 timeframe. This completion schedule allows for sufficient time to move in and be fully operational for the students and staff for the Fall of 2009.

Presently work is continuing on the roof of the three story wing.  Although the progress is exciting the public needs to be aware that access to the project is by appointment and the permission of the Owner's Representative.

Rebounding beautifully from a year ago, the High School project has been enjoying bids coming in under budget by an average 4- 4.5%.

Athletic Facilities Requiring Voter Approval
The Athletic Committee for the Windham High School has determined that the athletic facilities currently within the budget for the high school are insufficient to support varsity and junior varsity programs.  The committee has provided the School Board with a plan as to what is needed to support varsity and junior varsity athletics, similar to those programs offered at Salem High and surrounding schools.

The School Board is putting forth three warrant articles on the School District Ballot that asks voters to support the cost of the following additions to the current athletic facilities at Windham High School:

Article 2 asks voters to approve $900,000 for an additional gymnasium.

Article 3 asks voters to approve $778,500 for three additional fields (ie. a baseball diamond, a softball diamond and a field hockey field).

Article 4 asks voters to approve $3,819,980 for a multi-purpose sports center that would provide a lighted, artificial turf field and track surrounded by bleachers, concessions, restrooms and parking

The cost for these athletic facilities would be bonded over a 20 year period, and currently qualify for 30% building aid contribution from the State of NH. The costs in the warrant articles do not include the discount provided by the building aid, those funds from the state are provided to the town prior to sending tax bills out.
If the athletic facilities are not approved during the current, active project (ending Fall 2009), the School District would have to reapply in order to qualify for the 30 % building aid from the state.

Athletic Facilities Would Require Land Swap
In order for the School District to build the proposed additional athletic facilities in a cost effective manner, the School Board has asked the Town to consider swapping land.  The land swap would not cost the taxpayers any money but does require voter approval.

The School Board wants the Town to swap 16 acres of Gage Property, which abuts the high school land, for approximately 40 acres of land owned by the School District located on the high school site and behind the Windham Middle school.  The 40 acres of School District land consists of 2 parcels, 12 and 28 acres, respectively. Both of these parcels abut land already owned by the Town and are currently under the prevue of the Conservation Commission. This 2.5:1 acreage swap nets the Conservation Commission 24 additional acres of land. The Gage Property would provide a strategic location for the athletic facilities. This trade is supported by a majority vote of the Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, Recreation Committee and School Board.
Voters must cast a vote on both the School Warrant Article #5 and the Town Warrant Article #23 to authorize this land transfer.

Transition
The School Board voted in September, 2006 to open Windham High with four classes ranging from freshmen to seniors.  Recently the School Board has been asked to reconsider their decision and open the school with freshmen and sophomores only. The request was made by parents who currently have students in Salem High and whose students will enter Windham High in September, 2009 as juniors or seniors.  Their request came in reaction to Salem High offering Windham students currently attending Salem High the option to complete their education at Salem High if their parents pay tuition to Salem.  Parents and students have cited concerns surrounding “splitting the upper classes”, curriculum mapping of upper-level courses, athletic offerings and interruption of social and academic relationships.

The School Board is gathering data on this matter surrounding costs, student welfare and school population projections and will make a decision within the next month.

The preceding has been an informational report from the School Board’s High School Communications Committee keeping residents informed on the status of the Windham High School Project.