Board to look at demographics for long-term planning
The School Committee voted to expend approximately $6,000 to have the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) prepare an in-depth set of demographic projections for Harvard to assist the schools with long-term planning. Such a study would help predict changes in the composition of the student body, as well as the possible “student yield” from new housing construction. According to Donald Kennedy of NESDEC, the organization has prepared studies in past years for Mass Development about the impact of proposed housing on Devens. School Committee member Patty Wenger noted that the study would be useful for all town boards, as it would project overall population changes, not only school-age groups.
Playground costs exceeding plans
Costs for the new playground at the Hildreth Elementary School (HES) are running higher than expected, reported School Committee Chairman Keith Cheveralls. The original estimates of approximately $135,000 were several years old, Cheveralls noted; the current cost may run about $185,000. Committee member Piali De asked that a formal proposal be developed to specify the source of funds to cover the increased cost.
