Minutes, Jan. 18, 2005

[obied]

Proceedings of the 20-Year Facilities Planning Committee

District No. 2 Yellowstone County

Billings, MT

 

January 18, 2005

 

 

The meeting was called to order by Co-Chair Barbara Bryan on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 213 at Lincoln Center.

 

Members Present: Barbara Bryan, Matt Brosovich, Ed Workman, Mike Marnin, Ludlow Howe, Donell Small, Randy Hafer

 

Members Absent: Peggie Smith, John Eisen, Tim Cranston, Larry Brewster

 

Approval of Minutes The approval of minutes will take place at the next meeting.

 

 

POPULATION/ENROLLMENT REPORT

Tim Cranston was not available to present the Population/Enrollment Study. His presentation will be rescheduled for our next meeting.

 

SENIOR HIGH DEMOLITION VS. REMODELING

Discussion was continued regarding the Senior High options of demolition/rebuilding vs. remodeling. Randy and Ludlow will continue work on this issue and will present a written report at the next meeting. Randy will also prepare a written report discussing the potential for using alternatives to air conditioning at Senior and West.

 

HIGH SCHOOL SCENARIOS

The committee penciled out a rough estimate of enrollments and costs associated with implementing both scenarios 1and 2 (converting the Career Center to a standalone high school, and converting Lincoln Center into a high school for Lockwood students:

 

School Enrollment Action Needed Guestimate of Costs

Skyview 1,500 Renovate as previously proposed $3 million

Senior 1,500 Renovate (with alternative heating and cooling) $20 million

West 1,800 Renovate (with alternative heating and cooling) $13 million

Yellowstone Academy* 600-800 Renovate/expand $10 million

Lincoln 500-600 Renovate; build parking garage $10 million

* Standalone “career path” high school developed at Career Center

.

 

 

 

The total estimated cost would be $56 million, which is considerably less than the $90+ million cost of the defeated mil levy. These numbers are very preliminary, however, and will have to be refined considerably.

 

Under the above situation, options for housing groups displaced at Lincoln Center include:

 

Administration:

- Crossroads at 14th and Grand (would displace Crossroads students and truants)

- Gibson’s building

- New building by district warehouse

- Leased space

 

Adult Ed:

- Garfield?

- Other educational space in the city (coordinate with other parties in city to combine all adult education programs)

 

Truants displaced at Crossroads could potentially be placed with administrators in their new location. Crossroads students could potentially be placed at Lincoln (as a school-with-a-school on one floor) or could be re-incorporated into the regular schools, with provisions made to provide them with needed services and extra attention.

 

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LAND PURCHASE

Matt will inquire on the status of the board’s decision to purchase land for a new elementary school on the west end. The purchase was mentioned in a Gazette article about recent board action. Committee questions about the proposed purchase include:

 

- What is the intended size of the school?

- What is the status of the purchase? What exactly has the board authorized?

- What is the timeline for construction of a school on this site?

- Is the location consistent with city planning?

- Why do we need a 10-acre site?

- Was the potential for free land considered (Matt’s bill)?

 

Matt reported that there are multiple sponsors for a bill in the Montana legislature to allow developers to set aside land for public schools in lieu of land for city parks. Matt will follow the bill’s progress and keep us informed.

 

ADJOURNMENT

At 9:10, a motion was made by Donell and seconded by Ed to adjourn. The next meeting will be January 25, 2005.

 

 

 

________________________

Barbara Bryan, Co-Chair

 

Donna Obie, Recorder