Sep 17, 2002 By April Straughters 4 min read

BROWNSVILLE – Brownsville Area School District directors seem to have agreed on a district-wide renovation project that may include moving sixth-grade students to the high school/middle school. During a planning session Monday, directors agreed on one of many options included in the district’s feasibility study.

Directors debated whether to build a new elementary complex or renovate Cox-Donahey Elementary and whether to move sixth-grade students to the middle school or keep them in the elementary school.

The board could not make a decision on the elementary school issue.

Michael Molnar, the district’s architect, told the board they did not have to be specific in their plans for an elementary school project when submitting plans to Plan-Con for approval. Instead, the plans will simply state the board intends to combine elementary schools into one elementary school complex.

Molnar told the board though that they had to decide and stand firm on a decision to either place sixth-graders in the middle school or keep them in the elementary school. He said once those plans are submitted to Plan-Con and the state department of education, they will be held to that decision.

Dr. Gerry Grant said she has a “strong opinion” on the matter and thinks sixth-graders should be moved to the middle school, creating a “true middle school.”

She said she has researched the issue and found that including sixth-graders in the middle school offers them a more diverse curriculum and provides for a “more proper organization.”

Debra Suba, director of curriculum, said she believes it benefits students on a social level. She said sixth graders are making a “transition” emotionally, socially and physically and that they just

“fit” better with seventh- and eighth-graders.

Suba said it also benefits students on a technological level if they be included in a middle schools setting.

Bill Boucher, business manager and transportation director, agreed. Boucher said he has more discipline problems on buses with sixth-graders than he does with high school students.

Director Jim Brown said he was not convinced that moving sixth-graders to the middle school was the best solution, but said he would not stall the project any longer. He said he would vote to move sixth-graders to the middle school to avoid further delay.

Director John Evans and Andy Dorsey, board president, both said they would vote to move sixth-graders if it meant stalling the project otherwise.

Director Francine Pavone and Ellen Roher said they both support moving the sixth-graders to the middles school.

Roher said she supported the decision of Grant and Suba because they are with the students daily and would be able to make a better decision.

Director Stella Broadwater left the meeting before this discussion took place, but said she already knew what renovation option she supported.

Directors Dr. Melvin Sally, Rocky Brashear and Roseanne Markovich were absent from the meeting.

In the matter concerning a new elementary school complex or renovating Cox-Donahey, Dorsey said he would like to see students in a new school.

“For another $2 million I can’t see putting students in a 40-year-old building,” Dorsey said.

Brown also said he was in favor of building a new elementary school complex.

When asked, Molnar recommended building a new complex over renovating Cox-Donahey.

He said Cox-Donahey is “grossly oversized” and it is easier in terms of planning to build than to renovate.

The board agreed to a renovation option that includes: modernization and addition to the senior high/middle school with a new gymnasium at $19.3 million with sixth-graders included in the middle school or $17.9 with sixth-graders in the elementary school. They agreed to maintain Redstone Middle School gymnasium long term for $300,352. The board will include the addition of a district sports complex to the Redstone gymnasium renovation option in the plans to be submitted to Plan-Con, but the cost has not been included at this point.

The option chosen also includes modernization of the administration building at $600,000 and combining elementary schools for an elementary school complex. According to cost figures included in the feasibility study, if the board would decide to renovate Cox-Donahey with renovations it would cost $12.1 million with sixth graders in middle school or $13.2 with sixth-graders in elementary school. If the board would decide to build an elementary school complex it would cost the district, $13.9 million to construct a new elementary complex with sixth-graders in the middles school or $15.5 million with sixth-graders in the elementary school.

The board will vote on the matter at its regular meeting Thursday at 7 p.m.