GREEN: Superintendent Michael Nutter has pulled the plug on plans to use modular units for classrooms at Green Primary School, where third-graders will be enrolled for the first time along with first- and second-graders.
“We’re not going forward with the modular units at the primary school,” Nutter said at Monday night’s school board meeting.
He said the 947 pupils who are enrolled, including 324 third-graders, will be schooled within the building.
The pronouncement came five days after the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission granted a two-year conditional-use certificate, instead of the five years requested, by a 3-1 vote.
Commissioner Craig Babbitt voiced strong opposition to using modulars.
Nutter said the five-year plan would have allowed the district “flexibility.”
The certificate does permit the modular unit used for years at the Middle School to be moved to the Intermediate School.
Saying the modified plan will be workable when schools open Aug. 24, Nutter noted that as of Monday, 960 pupils, including 324 fourth-graders, are enrolled at the Intermediate School. The school will house fourth-graders for the first time along with fifth- and sixth-graders.
The district’s total enrollment is 4,259.
The rising pupil count at the two schools is the result of the June closing of Kleckner Elementary for third- and fourth-graders at a savings of $1.5 million in overhead.
“There is room for everyone at the Primary School,” Nutter said. He added that among the changes will be having a music teacher float between schools rather than being full time at one school.
Nutter advised that several summer projects are under way at the district’s schools, including the re-keying of all locks at each building.