New school sites go before board

Terry Webster

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1999 | 10:23 a.m.

Accelerated school openings and proposed new school locations round out the list of items being brought before the School Board for approval during Thursday's regular meeting.

The requests fall under the 1998 Capital Improvement Building Program, which involves construction projects spanning 10 years. During that time, a total of 50 elementary schools and 22 middle schools are up for construction.

Readily available cash from the 1998 Capital Improvement Building Program is making it possible to build schools faster, said Patrick L. Herron, assistant superintendent for facilities and transportation services.

"Cash funds are coming in at a rate that is enabling us to exceed our initial projections," Herron said. "We don't want to lose that opportunity. We want to build schools as rapidly as the cash flow will allow. There are some overcrowded areas we want to relieve as quickly as possible."

Under the plan, two elementary schools originally slated to open in the 2002-03 school year can instead open in 2001-02, making for a total of three new elementary school openings in 2001-02.

One of the schools will be located at Gilmore Avenue and Tee Pee Road. Sites are being recommended for Colorado Street and Lamb Boulevard; and Cactus Street and Haven Road.

The board also will consider a list of 14 elementary school sites slated to open in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 school years.

"By asking the board to approve the next 14 schools, this allows us to begin designs and meetings with residents in the communities," said Dusty Dickens, director of the school district's demographic, zoning and realty department.

Dickens said that while student population growth spans across all grade levels, the fastest growing group is elementary school students.

Locations and site approvals for middle schools also are on the board's agenda. Two middle schools are scheduled to open in 2000-01 and one has a January 2001 accelerated opening. Two middle schools are already set to open in 2001-02, along with two accelerated openings, for a total of four.

Thursday's agenda includes resolutions for two site acquisitions. One requests board approval to buy 18 acres at Lone Mountain Road and Conough Lane for $1.5 million plus closing costs. The other site, 18.9 acres at Walnut Road and Alto Avenue, would be purchased for $1.5 million, then set aside for future district use.