Today I had to apologize (once again) to a new employee who had a meeting at the NPS Administration and Operations Building, also called the Emery Grover Building located at 1330 Highland Avenue.
I had to apologize because this new employee uses a wheelchair, and he could not access EG without assistance up and down the many stairs leading to the entrances to the building. He was extremely gracious given the indignity of the experience, and I did my best to explain the lack of accessibility.
But I am tired, frustrated, and embarrassed that I must continue to apologize to students, families, and staff about the lack of accessibility and the inadequate and sometimes unhealthy work and meeting conditions in our 123 year old building.
It's time that something be done to address the very real needs of the NPS school administration and operations building, also simply referred to as "EG." The time for more studies or exploring alternatives has run out. It's time to have a discussion about the need to find appropriate space for providing services to students, families, staff, and the community.
Important facts about EG:
• The building's second floor was condemned by the Town in 1935 and remains closed. That was during FDR's first term in office.
• In 1947 a report commissioned by the Town noted: "The shell of the building is probably good or better than that of any public building in Needham, but the interior is serving quite inadequately... the building will probably be condemned within a few years." That was 74 years ago.
• The Town has reinforced the structure over time, kept up several maintenance projects, and continues to keep it as clean as possible. Most systems, including plumbing (no handicapped accessibility, of course), electrical, heating, and mechanical are beyond just limited and temporary repair.
• The building is conveniently located for families and staff and provides space for the district's school operations and administration, including transportation, nutrition services, curriculum and special education, human resources, community education, and the superintendent's office.
• The EG welcomes new families and students to the district by registering them at the building and connecting them with the vital services (e.g., transportation) they need for school. We typically register about 8 to sixteen families per week, especially from April through October.
• The EG hosts small training and on boarding sessions for new staff, and we offer space for testing and consultation. Our curriculum office facilitates the development, organization, distribution and storage of textbooks, learning materials, and instructional resources for students and staff.
• The production center facilitates mail and package delivery and distribution for the entire district; In the 2020-21 school year the production center staff produced 4.1 million copies for students, staff, and schools. Due to the pandemic and remote instruction, that was much less than the year before.
• There are 42 staff members working at the EG. Bookkeepers, clerical staff, van drivers, IT staff, and administrators provide in person services and resources to staff, families, and the community. Additionally, over 20 cafeteria managers and bus/van drivers come into the EG each school day to pick up keys, deposit checks and cash (last year $20,000 up to $80,000 per day in cash and checks from cafeterias, fundraisers, and remittances), receive training, routing instructions, and attend meetings. These folks can't work from their dining room table or remotely - they provide essential and in person services, transactions, and work each day for the Needham Public Schools community.
Fortunately, the Town of Needham conducted a feasibility study last year about how to renovate this structure (the lack of space in school buildings and open space in Town preclude other options), and you can read the final report here: EG Feasibility Study. Since the report came out, School and Town staff have been working with the designer to scale back the proposed renovation and keep the project affordable. I expect to share updated information on costs later this fall in anticipation of a Special Town Meeting where the School Committee may request funds for a design. The School Committee, Finance Committee, Select Board, and other Town boards have all been involved in discussions about an EG renovation, and they are trying to understand how to best move forward given financial considerations and the reality that Mitchell and Pollard are also in need of renovation and/or reconstruction. There is, indeed, plenty to discuss and plan for.
The Emery Grover Building has anchored the north end of the town center for over 120 years, first as the town’s new high school and eventually becoming school administration - providing vital and in person services to families and staff. However, without a plan to renovate the building, we must vacate the structure due to the continued lack of accessibility and for reasons of health and safety. It would then be demolished, resulting in a gaping hole in the neighborhood and a loss to the entire community.
It’s past time to make a decision about Emery Grover and school operations. There is a clear need for space that is efficient, safe, and sound.
Everyone should feel welcome coming into the EG, including those who use wheelchairs.
For more information, please see the Frequently Asked Questions about EG.