By Nathan Duke
Staff Writer

The Candia School Facilities Committee will undertake a broader mission this year as they work to provide better facilities for elementary and middle school students.

Last year, the committee was asked by the state Department of Education to look at the necessary renovations and additions to Moore Elementary School, in order to bring the school up to current state standards.

The warrant article for renovations at this year's School District Meeting in March failed, so the committee distributed questionnaires at Town Meeting the following week to find out why residents objected.

Chairman David Fischer said the committee has received 62 filled-out questionnaires and most residents appear to prefer the construction of a new school instead of a reconstructed Moore Elementary.

However, he said the ballot's proposed $6 million in costs for reconstruction could not cover the cost of a new school, which he estimates could cost in excess of $10 million.

He said the questionnaire asked residents if they understood the space needs at Moore Elementary and most of them answered "yes."

"My personal opinion is they don't understand," he said. "I think people are confused over wants versus needs."

This year, the committee has been given a broader assignment from the Department of Education - to recommend a plan of action to meet the instructional and recreational needs of the school and address deficiency issues.

The committee has split into three subcommittees that will each focus on a different option for improving the school's conditions.

One committee will discuss necessary renovations to the existing school. The second subcommittee will look into building a brand new facility and the third will discuss co-op options with other towns.

"We took a lot of heat at this year's School District Meeting because we did not (discuss these options) previously," he said. "That wasn't our charge last year, but some people did not like that answer. We can't go outside what we are asked to do. Now we are back to square one."

Some of the renovations to be discussed are the size of classrooms, which have a Candia School Board requirement of 900 square feet, and the relocation of the music room and office. Fischer said if students are going to stay in the existing facility, issues of air quality and ventilation must also be addressed.