title
ORDER OF THE NEW HAVEN BOARD OF ALDERS CALLING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE NEW HAVEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONCERNING FACILITIES AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS, THE DISTRICT’S MASTER PLAN TO HELP PRIORITIZE AND SECURE FUNDING FOR FUTURE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS, FOLLOW UP REGARDING TRANSPORTATION COSTS AND CURRENT CONTRACT WITH FIRST STUDENT, AND SCHOOL BUILDING PREPARATION AND REPAIRS PLANNED FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.
order
WHEREAS: the City of New Haven is committed to providing safe, healthy, accessible, and modern learning environments for all students, educators, staff, and families throughout the New Haven Public Schools; and
WHEREAS: the Board of Alders recognizes that the condition of school buildings has a direct impact on student achievement, educational outcomes, staff morale, public health, and the overall quality of education provided to New Haven students; and
WHEREAS: New Haven Public Schools continues to manage numerous facilities and maintenance needs, including deferred maintenance, building infrastructure improvements, mechanical and electrical system upgrades, roof replacements, accessibility improvements, environmental remediation, and other capital improvement projects that require careful planning and coordination; and
WHEREAS: the District's Facilities Master Plan serves as a critical long-term planning document that identifies existing facility conditions, establishes priorities for repairs and renovations, evaluates future capital needs, and provides a strategic roadmap for maintaining and improving school buildings throughout the district; and
WHEREAS: collaboration between the Board of Alders, New Haven Public Schools, school administration, and other municipal stakeholders is essential to understanding the district's current facilities’ needs, reviewing project priorities, identifying available funding opportunities, and advocating for additional local, state, and federal resources to address both immediate and long-term capital improvement needs; and
WHEREAS: the members of the Board of Alders have received updated information regarding ongoing facilities and maintenance projects, reviewed the District's Facilities Master Plan, discussed anticipated capital priorities, and better understand the financial strategies necessary to support future investments in New Haven's Public Schools; and
WHEREAS: a comprehensive discussion regarding facilities planning and capital investments assists the Board of Alders in making informed policy and budgetary decisions that promote responsible stewardship of public resources while ensuring that New Haven students are educated in safe, functional, and well-maintained school facilities; and
WHEREAS: the Board of Alders wants to hold a transparent conversation regarding upcoming preparation and repairs planned for school buildings for the upcoming school year; and
WHEREAS: additional information was requested by the Education Committee from the Transportation Department regarding costs associated with private school busing and the current contract between the Board of Education and First Student.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDERED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERS that a public hearing be held to discuss the district's facilities and maintenance projects, District's Master Plan to assist with prioritizing and obtaining funding for future maintenance projects, preparations and repairs planned for school buildings for the upcoming school year, and follow-up on outstanding information regarding transportation costs, including presentations from appropriate representatives of New Haven Public Schools, along with opportunities for discussion regarding current facility conditions, ongoing and planned capital projects, funding opportunities, project prioritization, and strategies to ensure the continued maintenance and improvement of school facilities throughout the City of New Haven.