Brookline School Population & Capacity Exploration

Members

There are a total of 13 members, only 11 have voting right.

Parents

  • Katherine Craven­ (Former Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA)) - Baker School
  • Philip Kramer (Architect) - Pierce School

Community Members

  • Lisa Crosley - Brigham Scientist
  • Fred Wang - Harvard Medical

Advisory Committee (Designated by Chair)

  • Mike Sandman
  • Neil Wishinsky

Selectmen (Designated by Chair)

  • Betsy DeWitt
  • Ken Goldstein
  • Mel Kleckner (Ex Officio, Nonvoting)

School Committee (Designated by Chair)

  • Bill Lupini (Ex Officio, Nonvoting)
  • Alan Morse
  • Rebecca Stone

Building Commission (Designated by Chair)

  • George Cole

Charge Voted by Board of Selectmen: January 8, 2013

This committee is charged with gathering and analyzing data, and guiding a community discussion on programming and space planning that will accommodate rapid and unabated enrollment growth and support the educational goals of the Public Schools of Brookline (PSB). The committee is asked to recommend a plan or plans by July 2013, for approval by the School Committee and the Board of Selectmen for the following:

  • The possibility of an additional school in Brookline initially to be housed at Old Lincoln School. The Facilities Master Plan shows that space in all 8 K-8 schools has been or will be maximized with recent and planned adaptations and renovations by Fall 2014, while currently projected enrollments will continue to require increased space. To free up space across our schools, a new school must:
    • Draw 450-500 students proportionately from every existing school
    • Do so in a way that satisfies the PSB core value of educational equity

The committee will consider a range of concepts for a possible new school. The committee may also explore solutions other than a new school that have the equivalent effect of enabling existing K-8s to fulfill the educational goals and objectives of the PSB Strategic Plan with existing and planned space.

  • The committee may also consider use of space and necessary renovations across the rest of the PSB buildings to:
    • Anticipate growth at BHS to 2500 students in five years (a commissioned Concept Study for space at BHS will inform this discussion)
    • Configure a permanent location or locations for the Brookline Early Education Program
  • Financing that enables the PSB to accomplish the above, including recommendations for budget efficiencies and/or raising additional revenues

Recommendations

Any recommendations from this Committee should meet the following criteria:

  • They have been discussed across the community in Brookline and received significant public support.
  • They meet the objectives of educational excellence and equity across the school district.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are available following approval.
Most Recent Agenda | View All Agendas and Minutes

B-SPACE Committee Votes to Recommend the "Expand in Place" Approach

At its meeting on August 12, 2013. the Brookline School Population and Capacity Exploration Committee (B-SPACE) voted unanimously on a series of recommendations to the School Committee to implement the "Expand in Place" model.

See the unofficial votes (PDF) taken by the committee. The final report of the committee will be finalized and transmitted to the School Committee next week.

Resources