Charge to the Amherst Building and Grounds Committee
The Amherst Building and Grounds Committee will monitor and make recommendations regarding facility capital improvement needs in the Amherst School District (ASD). The Amherst School Board (ASB) directs the committee to work closely and respectfully with the Director of Facilities, Business Administrator and Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent on the following objectives during FY26:
1. Portable Leasing/Replacement - Recommendation/Report to ASB no later than October 2025
- Assess the condition of existing portable classrooms and their viability for continued use.
- Develop an interim leasing replacement strategy that aligns with enrollment projections and instructional needs - how many portables are needed to address programming adequately?
- Identify funding sources, including capital reserves, potential grants, and budgetary allocations, to support timely and cost-effective replacements.
2. ASD Building/Grounds Maintenance - Report to ASB no later than October 2025
- Review the financial needs for maintenance, upgrades, and modernization efforts at the following sites: Clark, Wilkins, and Amherst Middle School. Work with the Director of Facilities to present an updated CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) / CNA (Capital Needs Assessment) - The Onsite/Insite report was completed in 2017.
- ADA Compliant
3. Recommendations for Clark & Wilkins - Update to Board no later than October 2025
- Analyze if the prior proposal may be further refined for successful passage
- Analyze renovation options for existing facilities on a smaller scale (alternate grade configurations, focusing on smaller-scale improvements that enhance functionality and extend building lifespan).
- Evaluate the feasibility of a new build on a smaller scale, including cost analysis, location considerations, and impact on educational programming.
- Present a comparative report outlining the benefits, challenges, and funding pathways for any recommendations presented
ROLE OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The committee is expected to approach this work with an open mind, rely on data-driven analysis, and engage stakeholders effectively to develop viable recommendations for Amherst’s educational facility needs.
Commitment to Non-Biased Facilitation – Board members serving on the committee will ensure a fair and respectful process, provide clarity when needed, and facilitate access to Board and administrative input upon reasonable request.
Failure to maintain respectful decorum may result in removal from committee assignments, including roles held by Board representatives.