Experts discuss SES relocation during town hall Published Dec. 13, 2013 By Staff Report 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- More than 100 parents, teachers and administrators gathered at the base theater Dec. 9 to discuss the temporary relocation of the Spandgdahlem Elementary School starting the 2014-2015 school year. The relocation, which was announced a few days before by Col. David J. Julazadeh, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, and Dr. Dell McMullen, Department of Defense Dependent Schools - Kaiserslautern District Schools superintendent, is a result of the renovation and expansion of the current SES facility. It is expected that more than 500 SES students and 60 faculty and staff members will combine with the Bitburg Elementary School for the next several years. Several factors played a part in the decision, primarily the safety and security of the children. Additionally, DoDDS and the wing are striving to provide students with the highest quality learning environment while providing the least possible disruption students due to construction in the facility. During the two-hour meeting, McMullen and Col. Lars Hubert, 52nd FW vice commander, answered questions and addressed concerns from audience members to further explain the final decision. The next town hall is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 20, 2014. However, to submit additional questions or concerns, send an email to 52fw.paoffice@us.af.mil, like us on Facebook at Spangdahlem Air Base or follow us on Twitter at Spangdahlem_AB. Below is a compilation of some of the questions asked and answered at the recent town hall. Q1: Will the School Age Program be here at Spangdahlem or at Bitburg or both? A1: We are looking into the possibilities of enhancing our School Age Program to support this move. However the details will have to be coordinated between DoDDS and the 52nd FW. Q2: Which road will be used to transport the students? The B50 is pretty dangerous for 1,200 students to be transported. A2: The exact route is still being researched but it is likely the B50 will be used. There have been very few accidents involving a school bus in recent years. Additionally, while other bus routes may utilize the B50, the additional new bus riders that are of concern is less than 150 -- those SES students that live on base and will now ride the bus. Q3: Will the Spangdahlem base bus route have a direct route or will there be multiple stops? A3: Ideally, we would like to provide a nonstop or express route, but it will depend on the number of children riding the bus on base. Q4: Where will the bus stops be for on base at Spangdahlem? A4: We are currently looking at trying a central location for the bus stop. Q5: How long will the bus ride be for students living in Wittlich area to Bitburg? A5: The ride from Wittlich could be shorter. Currently there are only two stops to that route and it is under the 60 minutes of the DoDEA regulation and shorter than others that are further out and not able to meet that regulation. Q6: Will there be a bus for the school age program? A6: The specifics are still being looked at, but providing transportation for students from SAP to school and back will continue. Q7: When will bus routes be determined? A7: Registration in the spring helps determine the routes and stops. Additionally, as people PCS in and register the numbers fluctuate. Around Aug. 1, the student transportation office starts to look at the numbers and determine where the most efficient stops and routes will be for students and that information is distributed shortly before school starts. Q8: Will EDIS and PSCD still provide services here at Spangdahlem or at Bitburg? A8: We are attempting to find space at Spangdahlem for those services. Q9: Can Bitburg Elementary School hold all of the students? A9: Current enrollment would necessitate the need to utilize one wing of the old Bitburg Middle School. It will depend on enrollment numbers from registrations in the spring. Q10: Will the Spangdahlem Middle School also be bused to Bitburg? A10: No, SMS stays where it is. Q11: Why not start preparing now? A11: We are preparing for the following year, but a lot of plans will depend on the enrollment numbers from the spring registration. Q12: Can middle school students move to Bitburg to be with a sibling? A12: If that is an option parents are considering, they should fill out an Exception to Feeder form to apply. This form can be obtained at any of the school's main offices. Q13: Will we be able to meet the teachers before school starts? A13: The Spangdahlem Elementary School SAC (School Advisory Committee) is currently reviewing this situation and making a recommendation for this for SY 14-15. Q14: Will elementary children be waiting outside at the elementary school after the bus has dropped off the high school kids? A14: Currently, if the students arrive early they remain on the bus until the time for drop off. Q15: Will the teachers also be moving to Bitburg? A15: There will be fewer teachers excessed than if this were a closure. Many of the teachers will also be going to Bitburg with the students. Q16: Will Bitburg remain grades Kindergarten through 6th grade? A16: Yes. Q17: Will there be multi-age programs at Bitburg and how can I get my child into one? A17: There will likely be multi-age programs and if that is something you are interested in you can note it on the application. It is not a guarantee and not all grades will have it available. Q18: What is happening with the administration? A18: Based on enrollment there will likely be one principal and one assistant principal. It has not been determined who will fill those roles. Q19: Will AYA open earlier? A19: That is undetermined at this time. Q20: Will there be an activity bus for students that stay after school? A20: That is undetermined at this time. Q21: Will there be an ancillary medical clinic available on Bitburg for families to reduce time back and forth for students out of school? A21: Unlikely. The number of resources needed for it to be successful are not available and would take away from the main clinic. Q22: If the bases are in FPCON Delta how will I get my children? A22: The existing plan will be modified to include the transportation or pick up of students from Bitburg. Q23: Are the workers at Bitburg safe? A23: Those employed on base are U.S. Air Force employees and have been screened. Construction workers are screened, but not to the same extent. Q24: Will there be additional gates opened at Bitburg since the population will increase? A24: The back gate is and will continue to be open for school buses. All other traffic will enter through the front gate. Q25: Will there be any type of monitor on the buses to try and keep the elementary kids from the high school kids? Will there be assigned seating? A25: Children do sit by school type. (i.e. elementary sits in front, middle school sits in the middle and high school sit in the back). It is the bus driver's responsibility to make sure the kids behave, and if they don't, to write a report and turn it in to the principal and the transportation office. Since the bus is an extension of the classroom, bullying will not be tolerated just as it isn't tolerated in the classroom or on the playground. There have been no reports of bullying between high school students and elementary students. Q26: Will the kids have designated buses? A26: The school transportation office has to be able to account for every student, going to and from school. That being said, every student will be assigned to a certain bus. Q27: Have they thought about reopening Bitburg housing, commissary, shoppette and other facilities? A27: Bitburg Annex is scheduled to be turned over to the German government; therefore, we will not allow more people to move into base housing at Bitburg. Also, the potential increase in staff and students at the school would not be enough to justify operational costs of the Bitburg commissary and shoppette so it will remain closed. Wing leadership is working with the Exchange to maintain the Bitburg gas station to potentially increase their selection. Q28: Would be safer to bus middle school kids so why not combine them at Bitburg and allow Spang elementary the middle school buildings or use the portables rather than bus all the elementary kids? A28: Combining all the middle school children at Bitburg requires reopening the entire BMS building, additional cross-busing and SMS would not hold all of the SES students. Many SES students would still need to be sent to Bitburg. Additionally, the renovations needed to make SMS a viable option for elementary school students are extensive. The playground, classrooms, bathroom facilities and cafeteria would need to be renovated to work for smaller people. There isn't enough time to complete this before school would start next year and it would be at tremendous cost. Finally, the intention with the plan is be as least disruptive as possible. While unsettling, this plan is moving only one school (SES) as opposed to adjusting three schools (SES, SMS, BES). Portable buildings are not being used because there is simply no space on base to put enough portable buildings to house the nearly 500 students that attend SES. Additionally the cost of providing portables, which would include a space for serving meals, far exceeds bussing students to a building that is ready to receive students -- BES. A combination of these plans is not being used because, again, we are trying to keep it as simple as possible and minimize the movement of students. Q29: Will the Bitburg gas station re-open? Maybe just peak hours? A29: The Bitburg gas station is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. and closed on Sunday and Monday.