Board Special Meeting
January 9, 2008
Page 7
COOS BAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS JANUARY 9, 2008
COOS BAY, OREGON
SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
The Board of Directors of Coos Bay Public Schools met on January 9, 2008, at the Milner Crest Education Center, 1255 Hemlock Avenue, Coos Bay, Oregon, for a Special School Board Meeting.
Chairman Kathy Murray called the meeting to order at 5:02pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board members present: Don Blom Kathy Murray
David Ford Donna Opitz
Wally Hazen Andy Post
Randy Miles
Board members absent: None
Also present were: Superintendent Bob De La Vergne, Rod Danielson, Mary Bjornerud, Duella Scott-Hull, Joel Smallwood, Travis Howard, Jennifer Haliski, Arlene Roblan, Linda Vickrey, Dale Inskeep, Lynda Sanders, Ann Marineau, Michelle Newsum, April Hoy, Mary-Margaret Stockert, Nicole Preston, Brandon Waite, Susan Anderson, Ken Harlan, Ron Opitz, Horst Seibold, Kathie and Lou Leberti, Matt Christensen, Mark McKelvey, Cricket Soules, Glen and Irene Stoops, Joe Slack, Andy Nasburg, Ann Hobson, Brenna Vickrey, Andy Rossback, Alexander Rich of The World, and Gordon Young of Channel 14.
Review Recommendation from Schools for the Future Committee:
Chair Kathy Murray welcomed everyone to the meeting and expressed their appreciation for a good turnout. She reviewed the recommendation presented by the Schools for the Future committee at the last Board meeting, which included building a new elementary school in Eastside to replace Bunker Hill, adding classrooms and a new library at Madison, transferring the alternative education programs from the Harding Learning Center to Bunker Hill and demolishing the Harding building except for the gym and classes under the gym, and continuing with plans of renovations/modernization projects at the remaining district facilities. Their recommendation was to seek a bond measure in the amount $59,619,100, amortizing $33 million over 20 years and the remaining $27 million over 30 years. This would result in a levy rate of about $2.30 per $1,000 of assessed value from 2009 through 2020, which would fall to $0.88 per $1,000 assessed value starting in 2030.
Public Input:
Ken Harland, an Eastside resident with a 5-year-old grandson, said they would love to see a new school at Eastside. Ken is also a veteran who, after attending a Christmas program at Bunker Hill, suggested that Veterans Affairs may be interested in relocating from Bandon and purchasing that property if the District were interested in selling it. He provided the Board with the name of a person to contact.
Ann Marineau, a teacher at Madison, said she thinks a new school at Eastside is a great idea. She had some qualms about adding classrooms to Madison, because it would add to the size of the school. She referred to research that says achievement, attendance, and cohesiveness in the community are better in schools with 300-400 students. If classrooms are added to Madison, it will become a school of about 600 rather than 400.
A question was asked from the audience about contingencies built into the building costs. Joel Smallwood said there is an inflation contingency built into the estimates. Don Blom reminded them that the 1998 bond built a new math/science building at the high school, etc., without cost overruns.
Susan Anderson, a taxpayer without children, said she is concerned about the condition of our schools. Part of our property values is tied into the schools. Susan said that, to attract families to this community, we have a lot of work to do. She encouraged the Board to “move forward, do what needs to be done, and she would be along to support them.”
Andy Nasburg said that, as a realtor, he is very supportive of the School District. When people visit Coos Bay, they want to see the schools, which are not in good shape. He asked if the Board had considered moving the administrative offices from Milner Crest to the Harding building, add classrooms to Milner Crest, and move the Blossom Gulch students to Milner Crest.
Don Blom said they looked at a number of ideas, including where the growth in student population was. The Blossom Gulch/Milner Crest area is not in an area of growth, but rather the western and southern parts of the District is where the growth is being seen.
Donna Opitz added that, based on the DLR facilities report, Blossom Gulch site is not good but the building is sound. She also reminded them of the costs that would be incurred bringing the Harding building up to standard.
After some questions about bussing, Rod Danielson said that about 130 students are now bussed out of the Charleston/Madison area to Blossom Gulch. Those are 130 students who could be attending Madison, thereby saving on transportation costs.
Linda Vickrey, Harding administrator, expressed concerns about relocating the alternative education programs away from Marshfield. Harding and Marshfield share in the responsibility of some of the students in Harding programs. Some students take classes on the Marshfield campus, attend assemblies with the rest of the student body, etc. Teen Parent Program students take some of their classes on the MHS campus while their babies are in the TPP center. The Dean’s Office at the high school also lends support, as does Security. They share nursing services, and the School Based Health Center is located in the Harding building. Future plans are to building a separate facility for the SBHC, which would not be as accessible if they move to Bunker Hill. She expressed concern too that the Bunker Hill site presents its own issues relative to parking, teenage drivers, the proximity to the adult store, etc. Linda also said that the Harding building is used for numerous community functions, including dance, karate, Eagles, etc., as well as Marshfield dances. Linda felt that the HLC staff strived to work with the community and their neighbors and feels the students have finally adopted a culture of understanding. She feels the alternative education programs will continue to grow and fears they will not feel as much a part of the community.
David Ford admitted this was one of the hardest things they worked on. They were looking at huge expenses just to make the Harding building “livable.”
Wally Hazen added that it is hard to know what our student count will be in 5-6 years. For example, there may be only 1,000 students at the high school at some point in the future.
Dale Inskeep, Bunker Hill principal, said it is important to articulate first to employees about where funds will be spent. He said that Bunker Hill was built to hold 240; right now they have 384. There classes are at about 28-29 students. Dale talked about the use of the portable classrooms and the “gymecafetorium” to ease the crowding. He added that, as a community member, he wonders what can be done with the buildings without completely tearing them down. He asked what the specific requirements were that needed to be done that requires tearing them down instead.
Arlene Roblan, Madison principal, said the committee was given a daunting task. Their primary goal was to look at the buildings to fit the populations. We must also look at how we are serving children in those buildings. We don’t want to sacrifice that with buildings too big to serve kids well. It’s marrying the school to the community. She felt that, the more kids there are in a school, the harder it is to build relationships with them all. Donna Opitz asked if Arlene thought there was a parallel between building new buildings and building new classrooms. Arlene said if there is a population growth, they will outgrow the building and that overcrowded classrooms is the bigger problem. David Ford gave assurance they had taken growth trends into account when they discussed expanding Madison.
Wally Hazen said they also planned for growth when they decided to propose an elementary school in Eastside that would hold about 600 students. He said that, ideally they don’t like large schools, but there are savings in running a larger campus.
Lou Leberti, a community member who served on the committee, said it’s tough when you start looking at so many needs. He said, “We are asking our community what we can do rather than what we’d like to do.” He felt a bond measure o f just under $60 million was a respectable amount to ask from our community. Lou added that, if the community would go look at the buildings, they too would see the conditions. “You’ve got to do it,” he said.
Anne Hobson, mother of kids at Bunker Hill, said her daughter is in a class with no less than 29-30 kids, and the classes keep growing. She said it would be nice to know the appropriate number of teachers would be there too.
A teacher from Bunker Hill asked if there would be a time for staff input. Don Blom said that, once we had voter approval to build Pirate Hall, then they started asking for and receiving input from staff regarding the interior design.
Mary-Margaret Stockert, a teacher at Madison, asked if they could assure voters we would not have the same structural problems that came with the Sunset building. Donna Opitz agreed that Sunset was a disappointment but assured her they are more vigilant now.
Matt Christensen agreed that it is probably more logical to tear down the Harding building, but he asked them to consider the whole culture of the Harding Learning Center and the way it is connected to Marshfield.
Andy Nasburg asked why an elevator was included when they figured on renovating the Harding building. Rod Danielson said the District must provide access or spend the money making it accessible.
Linda Vickrey asked if they would consider moving the District Office to Bunker Hill and move the Harding programs into Milner Crest, which is more central to the area. Kathy Murray said she’d heard several suggestions about moving the District Office. Linda reminded them how much they use places in the downtown community, like the City Library, the pottery place, etc. Dale Inskeep also recalled that it was 10 years ago that the first alternative ed program moved to the Harding building when CE2 moved from Englewood. All the other programs that now occupy that building have developed in those 10 years.
Lou Leberti said that, if you hang onto the Harding building, you must add $7 million to the bond to take make it safe and functional. He added, “That puts a dollar value to a feeling.”
Ron Opitz, co-chair of the Schools for the Future Committee, provided some clarification. They got lots of information and looked at the facilities first-hand. The committee looked at adding facilities to take down the number of kids in each class and putting kids closer to where they live. Some schools have poor circulation, no fresh air, heating systems that are old, making them ineffective and providing an unhealthy environment. The environment affects how kids learn, and good facilities are an incentive to be at school for both kids and staff.
Ron added that their recommendation was nothing more than that – a recommendation. He was pleased that others came to speak. Ron said he’s heard good comments about the $59+million bond and about taking care of our schools. The district has great teachers and great programs; we just don’t have a great place to put out students. Ron said we care about our students, and it will take sacrifice to get where we want to go. Harding is a grand building, but to think about putting $7 million into it, you’re still looking at a 50-year-old building that will continue to have needs.
Andy Post asked how many students were housed in Milner Crest before it closed. Rod said there were about 200, some of which were bussed from outer zones to fill the school. Andy asked if the building would hold the Harding programs. Rod replied that Milner Crest building has a smaller footprint and a smaller gym.
Kathy Murray asked architect Joe Slack’s opinion about the Harding building. Joe said he understands the situation at the Harding building, but added that it is a nightmare to maintain. And making it ADA-compliant is a civil matter. That law was enacted 15 years ago, and the district is still dealing with issues. Joe said, “It’s a big building and has a big price tag.”
Horst Seibold said he would like to see solar heat in new construction.
Mary-Margaret Stockert asked how much money would be saved by putting in new windows and asked about alternative energy.
Don Blom expressed appreciation for the many comments made tonight, which have enlightened the Board. In terms of cost versus return, one of their main concerns is how much money can be saved by upgrading windows, doors, etc. If they build a new elementary school, at least passive solar applications would be another savings to consider. They want to provide an environment that is healthy and stimulates students to learn rather than depleting the oxygen in their brains.
Andy Post said he would like to find out how much it would cost in transportation, etc., if the Harding programs were moved to a different location.
Randy Miles commented that it may be a good idea to consider selling Bunker Hill, if indeed it was not going to be occupied.
Brandan Waite, and IT employee and former student in the Harding Learning Center said he’s noticed a change in the morale of the students there. He asked them to not only think of the health issues in the current building but also consider the increased stress level caused by being in a different place.
Cricket Soules suggested that they consider resources to evaluate the historical value of the Harding building, for preservation sake.
Board/Committee Discussion:
Receiving no further public comments, Chairman Murray asked the Board how they would like to proceed. Donna Opitz asked if they could have access to those who gave input so they could talk further with them after the close of the meeting.