The Board of Education expanded the role of the Steering Committee that was assigned to the Linden Street School project to include a Long-Range Plan for all Plainville Schools. The role of the committee was expanded as a result of increased enrollment projections with proposed new housing starts, and the results of a town wide survey taken in January 2002. The survey results address the concerns of parents and taxpayers alike.

In the summer of 2002 the architectural firm of Fletcher-Thompson was retained to evaluate the building needs of Plainville Public Schools. The Long-Range Plan is based on this evaluation as well as previous studies done by the town. The Plan looks at all schools, their present conditions, present enrollment and future space needs.

The survey was sent to town residents in order to gather feedback from the community about the Linden Street School referendum, which failed in November 2001. Below is a random order list of some respondents concerns.

• A desire to save the original Linden Street Building.
• Reduce the $24 million cost of the project.
• Address the needs of other schools in addition to Linden.
• Increase information on building plan to the general public.
• Provide adequate space for community use.

The current plan, developed by Jeter, Cook & Jepson, Architects, for the Linden Street School involves the renovation of the 1970's portion of the school and an addition to that building. The 1929 portion of the building would be preserved to provide possible swing space* for future school projects, community use and the future Board of Education offices. This will prevent the district from using costly portable classrooms for this and future projects. The relocation of the Board offices will create much needed additional space at the High School.

*Classroom space to temporarily & safely house students during construction at other buildings.