NORTHFIELD — After five months of discussion, opposing votes and more discussion, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee has decided on a location for the district’s central office.
The School Committee approved moving the central office to Pioneer rooms 402, 403 and 407 on the second floor, excluding computer and science labs, in a recent vote.
Though just a week before, the building and grounds subcommittee put forward a recommendation to move to three classrooms in the 200 wing, Pioneer’s upper level was seen as the most cost-effective.
Seeing how the upstairs space is already air conditioned, the only cost associated with the move would be $500 to relocate the photocopier, Assistant Superintendent Gail Healy said previously. By comparison, Facilities Director Tim Brandl said previously installing air conditioning in the 200 wing would cost around $16,000.
“I think from a fiscal point of view, that will make the most sense,” Superintendent Ruth Miller said of moving upstairs.
“I think the cheapest option is what we need right now,” agreed School Committee Vice Chairman William Wahlstrom during Tuesday’s meeting.
Miller said the upstairs rooms also have the student vote, explaining previously that in a meeting with the rising senior class a few weeks ago, the majority of the class supported moving the office to the 400 wing.
Miller said Tuesday that custodians have started the process of moving the office, having cleaned the effected rooms. They’ll start delivering items from the office’s currently leased space at 168 Main St. in downtown Northfield on Wednesday, she said, with a mid-July moving deadline.
By moving back to the Pioneer campus, the district will eliminate $3,030 per month in leasing costs.
Reach Shelby Ashline at: sashline@recorder.com
413-772-0261 ext. 257