Humboldt school trustees authorize plans for high school expansion

Tuesday, Dec. 15, 1998 | 2:21 a.m.

Humboldt County School District trustees have authorized construction of new classrooms to make room for a surge of students in the next few years.

The district will pay for the building with proceeds of the current pay-as-you-go tax override that expires in 2000. That money is dedicated to remodeling at Lowry High School.

"We have the luxury of time more than money right now," said Don Smit, school district facilities manager. "We will have the money to build this starting next October."

Smit said the exact number of classrooms to be built won't be determined until after school officials meet with planners, consultants, architects, parents and teachers.

Officials said the project may be ready to go out to bid in July, with completion targeted by the fall of 2000.

Superintendent Tony Wiggins added that if enrollment falls because of mining layoff, the district would not be obligated to proceed with construction.

"If the crystal ball becomes clearer two months from now, we're not tying ourselves to an anchor that's going to take us to the bottom," he said.

"Right now, we need to go ahead and pursue construction of this classroom pod."