In accordance with the Board of Education and superintendent’s long-range strategic plan and annual goals, the district has been examining the impact of declining enrollment. A facilitator, hired through Western Suffolk BOCES, has been working with a study group comprised of community members and staff to review the November 2012 Demographic Study. The West Babylon Facilities Study Group examined options that would address the district’s budgetary situation while maintaining the educational excellence that has become synonymous with the district.

On Jan. 7, the facilities study group reported their findings to the Board of Education and community members, presenting factual information with regard to maximizing the utilization of school facilities in the future. “We recognize that our goal is to investigate all plausible options while seeking to maintain the quality of our educational offerings in a fiscally sound manner,” said facilitator include his title Michael Keany. “We understand our role to be study and investigation, not recommendation.” Other items studied and presented by the group were an analysis of current efficiencies and cost-saving measures and the feasibility of a pre-K program.

Representatives from the group addressed questions such as whether the district can function with one less building and how many classrooms could be gained through a process known as compression. While these topics were addressed, it was emphasized to community members that no decisions would be made in the immediate future. The Board of Education will discuss the information presented at future meetings.

“It has been a pleasure to work with the facilities study group,” remarked Superintendent of Schools Anthony Cacciola. “They are a dedicated, hardworking group of individuals and their findings provided the Board with valuable information that will be taken into consideration when planning for the district’s future.”

Copies of the group’s PowerPoint presentation and the Long-Range Plan Presentation survey can be found on the district website at www.wbschools.org.