Barrington officials were hoping residents would share their opinions about the plans for the future of local schools.

The plans — presented by officials from the architecture firm Kaestle Boos Associates during a meeting held Thursday, July 14 at the middle school cafeteria — include the construction of new schools, renovations and additions to existing schools, and the elimination of some schools. 

There are a total of six “paths forward” that members of the school building committee are reviewing. They are expected to recommend a single option to the school committee during the July 28 meeting.

School officials were asking residents to answer a brief questionnaire online. The form has three questions:

1. What do you appreciate about the suggested plan options?

2. What are your concerns regarding the suggested plan options?

3. Do you have any further suggestions?

“The paths forward provide general ideas for school builds, renovations, and configurations that will become more refined over time,” stated a press release from the district. “Paths forward are not binding and can and likely will be modified for our next 5-year submission to RIDE (RI Department of Education).

“Master facilities plans, although inclusive of the next 20 years, must be revisited and updated every five years to remain current with Community needs and changing contexts and to enable Barrington to be eligible for State matching funds for our capital projects.”

Here’s a summary of the six options:

Option 1A — PK-2 model with pre-kindergarten at Sowams School; new construction of a pre-kindergarten to grade 5 school at Primrose Hill; addition/renovation of kindergarten to grade 2 school Hampden Meadows; addition/renovation of pre-kindergarten to grade 2 school at Sowams; addition/renovation of kindergarten to grade 2 school at Nayatt; no changes at middle school; addition/renovation or new construction at high school; total cost to district range: $107,433,000 to $135,670,500

Option 1B — PK-2 model with pre-kindergarten at Hampden Meadows and Nayatt; new construction of grades 3 to 5 school at Primrose Hill; addition/renovation of pre-kindergarten to grade 2 school Hampden Meadows; addition/renovation of pre-kindergarten to grade 2 school at Nayatt; elimination of Sowams School; no changes at middle school; addition/renovation or new construction at high school; total cost to district range: $102,816,000 to $129,217,500

Option 2A — A new grades 1 to 5 school, and a renovated 1 to 5 school, with a combined early learning center; new construction of grades 1 to 5 school at Primrose Hill; addition/renovation of grades 1 to 5 school at Hampden Meadows; addition/renovation of pre-kindergarten to kindergarten early learning center at Nayatt; elimination of Sowams School; no changes at middle school; addition/renovation or new construction at high school; total cost to district range: $90,801,000 to $115,938,000

Option 2B — Two new grades 1 to 5 schools with a combined early learning center; new construction of grades 1 to 5 school at Primrose Hill; new construction of grades 1 to 5 school at Hampden Meadows; addition/renovation of pre-kindergarten to kindergarten early learning center at Nayatt; elimination of Sowams School; no changes at middle school; addition/renovation or new construction at high school; total cost to district range: $97,987,500 to $123,880,500

Option 3 — Two new pre-kindergarten to grade 5 schools; new construction of pre-kindergarten to grade 5 school at Primrose Hill; new construction of pre-kindergarten to grade 5 school at Hampden Meadows; elimination of Nayatt School; elimination of Sowams School; no changes at middle school; addition/renovation or new construction at high school; total cost to district range: $94,576,500 to $120,123,000

Option 4 — Two new kindergarten to grade 5 schools, pre-kindergarten at BHS; new construction of kindergarten to grade 5 school at Primrose Hill; new construction of kindergarten to grade 5 school at Hampden Meadows; elimination of Nayatt School; elimination of Sowams School; no changes at middle school; addition/renovation or new construction, and creation of pre-kindergarten program at high school; total cost to district range: $96,403,500 to $122,130,000

To fill out the questionnaire, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduq_Cfl2pmddHEjKmqqhvsbFxwJN0FCu-hcsU72I09Bwvr3g/viewform