Politics & Government

Board of Education Considering Chisholm Center for School

Suggestion comes as a surprise to Committee members.

Board of Education members have approached Township officials about using the as an elementary school.

At a meeting with members of the Township Committee, BOE members argued for using the space for classrooms. A recent demographic study of Springfield projected that enrollment will soon spike in Springfield schools. The Chisholm center was previously an elementary school and more recently a YMCA fitness and childcare center. BOE members believe its facilities could be easily converted into a school. 

Since the , Springfield officials have . Along with the Sarah Bailey Civic Center, it is one of two town-owned recreation buildings used for community events. Over the past months, Committee members have spoken publically about using the more centrally located and modern Chisholm Center as the township’s primary recreation facility and selling Sarah Bailey. Springfield Seniors, who hold meetings and events at Sarah Bailey, have .

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During a joint meeting of the Township Committee and the BOE, Board member Jacqueline Shanes said that in consideration of the new housing developments under construction or recently completed in Springfield, the Board commissioned a demographic study. While the School Board had , the projections for new students exceeded previous expectations, particularly with regard to young children. 

“It’s not an issue at the middle school or high school,” Shanes said at the meeting. “The influx will be with elementary school students.”

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Board members noted that Walton School is already at or near capacity for students. As a result, they are eyeing places for classrooms.

“The Chisholm building, having been a school, is an attractive option,” Board member Irwin Sablosky said at the meeting.

Both Sarah Bailey and the Chisholm Center are due for major renovations. While Springfield’s Recreation Committee and Township Committee have been weighing plans for both buildings, the idea of using Chisholm as a school has not factored in.

“This comes out of left field,” township committee member David Amlen said. Amlen wondered about the suitability of Chisholm for a new school, noting the small size of the gymnasium and the small number of spaces suitable for classrooms.

With the idea so new, officials indicated that they were not sure yet about the mechanics of the agreement. Speaking after the meeting, they said they did not know whether the school district would rent Chisholm or how the deal would work otherwise. 

School Board members said they wouldn’t have definite enrollment numbers until August. Committee members said the suggestion would delay plans for the Chisholm center. Officials seemed amenable to the idea.

“Nothing is going to happen in terms of construction this year,” Mayor Ziad Shehady said. “We’re happy to work with you. 


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