Life Expectancy of Local High School Buildings

July 20, 2020

As an advocate for school regionalization since 2009, I have listened to both sides of the issue as it relates to expanded educational opportunities, administration, staffing, transportation, location, facilities, financial management, etc., you name it.

At this time of Covid, however, it seems that issues related to the economy have risen to the top of the list. School budgets across the country are imperiled because of reductions in tax revenues, not to mention the increased costs of ensuring health and safety.

I would argue that, in spite of the costs of a bond, regionalizing the schools makes sense because of potential reductions if only in the economy of scale resulting from a single high school facility as opposed to two separate facilities and the maintenance of two sites past their 30 year anticipated life span.

Sometimes a little history makes an existing situation more understandable.

Did you know that Rogers High School opened at its current site on Wickham Rd. in 1957? Or that the Career & Technical School opened in 1968? Or that Middletown High School opened in 1961?  In terms of the expected life cycle, that makes RHS 63 years old, the Career & Technical School 52 years old, and MHS 59 years old?

So is it any wonder that buildings sustaining exposure to New England weather and heavy-duty use by hundreds of students every year are in poor condition in spite of constant and costly maintenance?

Putting aside all the educational issues, I commend Newport for attempting to address the needs of a 63 year old facility although their rush to solve the problem by rebuilding at the current site seems foolhardy when they would still incur substantial costs transporting the majority of their students who live at the other end of the city.  

In regard to Middletown, is it really cost-efficient to continue to pour funds into a 59 year old building whose 5 year life cycle in 2017 was anticipated to cost millions of dollars for repairs?

I suggest that those trying to justify patchwork take a look at the September 2017 State of Rhode Island Schoolhouses Report.

And then ask yourself:  Is it really better that we go our separate ways or – as is currently the theme – We do better together?