The discussion surrounding the future of Madison schools continued last week as members of the community and representatives from the Board of Education met to hear new updates in the long-term school facilities utilization study.

The architectural firm of Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc., presented the results of a report on the conditions of the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing system of the school facilities a public forum held Dec. 8 at Ryerson Elementary.

The results addressed updates and technical changes needed over the next 10 years if the Board of Education and the town choose not to complete a more extensive facilities improvement project.

“Essentially this is what will need to be addressed over the next 10 years in our current facilities,” said Superintendent Thomas Scarice after the meeting.

Scarice noted that this study is just another piece in the bigger picture of what needs to be done to address the needs of Madison Schools.

“We have to be able to look at the whole project,” he said. “In the next couple of meetings we will be able to look at the whole story. We looked at those reports and we also looked at a couple of different options.”

Parents and interested community members in attendance were more engaged in the possible restructuring of the school system. Building a new elementary school is under consideration.

“If we were to build a new elementary school, the possibility would be to make it district wide and close three elementary schools,” said Scarice. “But that is only one of a number of options that are on the table.”

Another option includes maintaining all three elementary schools, but making them kindergarten through grade 2. Brown Middle School would then serves grades 3 to 5 and Polson would hold grades 6 to 8.

“By keeping all three elementary schools, but making them only k-2...that would remove all of the temporary trailers that our schools have had added on over the years,” said Scarice. “It is important to have that option as well as the new elementary option.”

The possible kindergarten to 2nd grade model has been well received by parents who are most concerned with grade configuration and which grades fit well together. The plan of a possibly centralized elementary has, however, caused some concerns.

“One theme that has come up in every single workshop is the concern around the geography of the town,” Scarice said. “One school in one part of the town, because the town has such a far stretch from north to south, could really be problematic for bus rides when you are talking about younger students.”

While many options are still being considered, the Board of Education hopes to present a plan to the town early next year.

“I would anticipate when the budget season kind of dies down in February we will come back to this issue,” Scarice said. “The Board of Education would like to make some type of decision on where we are headed by the spring.”