New Locations for Administration & RSL

The two-year problem of finding a new home for the Rye School of Leadership (RSL) was solved at the April 29 Board of Education meeting. Board members approved moving the administration staff to 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue, in newly leased space, and then moving the RSL and Special Education Services staff to the vacated 324 Midland Avenue, the current home of the Administration.
After the RSL was unable to renew its lease at the Durland Scout Center last year, where RSL had resided since 1989, it was temporarily moved into Rye High School. But with enrollment continuing to boom at the high school, additional classroom space will be needed for incoming students. By moving the RSL to 324 Midland, the necessary space will be freed up for both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years.
“Two things make this the right decision,” said Board member Bob Zahm at the April 29 meeting. “One, we avoid sending kids out of district, which can be extremely expensive. Two, by moving RSL from the high school to 324 Midland, we will be able to have additional enrollment from outside the District.”
With the District looking to raise RSL tuition costs from $31,879 to $33,665, adding more students to the 11 already in the RSL would come close to covering the expected $600,000 cost of running the program.
The relocation is planned to take place in July and August, a move forecasted to cost a total of $76,000 for both the central administration’s shift to 411 Theodore Fremd and necessary renovations at 324 Midland.
The lease agreement for space at 411 Theodore Fremd Avenue is with Willrye Holdings, LLC, and Sivfan Rye, LLC, and projected to cost $140,541 during the 2008-09 school year. The relocation will shift 17 people in total – the Superintendent, the District Clerk, the Tax Collector, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, the Director of Technology, the School Business Official, the Director of Personnel, and all respective staffs.

Jim Byrne