Is Expansion in the Bridgehampton School’s Future?

The Bridgehampton School District has directed its architect to draw up a proposal for an expansion to the school building.

Robert Hauser, assistant superintendent for finance and facilities, said during Tuesday’s school board meeting that the school was only in the “preliminary stages of considering the feasibility.” The district recently hired John A. Grillo, who is based in Port Jefferson, as its architect.

“We have provided our district architect with a list of our needs and directed him to come with renderings and a cost analysis,” Mr. Hauser said. “At the present time we have no idea of the scope, cost, or square footage. However, regardless of the size of the proposal, we will need time to talk to the community and gather their input.”

He said the district had evaluated not just the main building but also several portable outbuildings, including two that are over 40 years old and one that is over 50. Concerns include handicapped accessibility, security considerations, the overall condition of the main building, a gymnasium that does not meet some standards for high school sports, and a growing student body.

Enrollment has grown about 40 percent since the 2012-13 school year, from 155 students that year to a projected 217 in 2016-17, and is expected to keep growing.

Lois Favre, Bridgehampton’s superintendent, said Mr. Grillo’s drawings were expected later this month or in September. She hopes to hold a community vote on the project in December.