Capital Project Planning Forums yielded good questions, positive feedback
On Tuesday, May 31 and Saturday, June 4, Duanesburg school officials, along with architects, hosted Capital Project Planning Forums to gather input from the community about whether or not the district should propose a capital project to voters next fall. Also discussed was what items should be included in a capital project and the scope, cost, and timeline of the project.At the forums, school officials showed attendees a video that outlined some of the major areas of concern that were cited by the architects who performed a state-mandated 5-year building/architectural review last year. The video also highlighted other school building and grounds issues raised by students, staff and community members. Following the video was an open discussion where participants shared their opinions and got their questions answered by school leaders and architects.
At the end of the forum, attendees were asked to complete a brief survey designed to help the board understand what items residents would like to see included or excluded from the project. Additionally, attendees were asked to select a project cost that they thought the community would support. The costs ranged from $2 million to $12 million, with the understanding that nearly 80 percent of the cost of the project would be funded through state building aid. The other 20 percent would be funded through taxpayers over a 15- or 20-year period. For example, a $12 million capital project would cost taxpayers $2.4 million. That would be an annual cost of $161,600 over a 15 year period or $121,200 annually over a 20-year period.
The survey results revealed that people would prefer to see all school improvement and construction items included in a future capital project, and that they would support a $12 million capital project. No decisions have been made at this point.
“We are still in the very early stages where we need to decide whether or not to propose a capital project,” explains Superintendent Christine Crowley. “Our goal is to gather as much input from the community as possible. We don’t want to put together a proposal only to find out later that the community would not support it.”
View the video
If you missed the forums, click here to watch the video that was shown. However, the community discussions were not taped. Therefore, if you have any questions after viewing the video and reading the copy below, please email or call Superintendent Christine Crowley at ccrowley@duanesburg.org or at 895-5350.
All comments and questions about a capital project will be shared with the board who will ultimately decide if the district will move forward with a capital project. Please provide feedback or submit questions no later than June 30. The board will be discussing the possibility of a capital project at future board meetings.
Scope of possible capital project
Building repairs. What people at the forums learned is that there are certain areas of the district’s buildings that are pushing the health and safety barrier and are in need of immediate repair.
On the High School campus, inadequate drainage pipes, excessive ground sloping and heavy rain means that water backs up and seeps into the building. This results in water damage and the growth of mold and mildew in the building.
Also, a portion of the High School roof is uneven and pools water. The architects found holes and deteriorated seams on the roof which allow moisture to seep and drip into the school’s hallways and rooms. Some classroom equipment is even covered with plastic sheets when not in use to protect it from leaking ceilings. If this repair is included in a capital project, other internal building repairs, such as upgrading the bathrooms and making them ADA compliant, replacing or removing old carpeting, and upgrading some of the hallway lockers--to name a few project--would also be included.
“There’s a process and work sequence we adhere to when making building improvements,” explains Architect Randy DeFranco. “In this case, we would recommend putting a new roof on the building first. This will put an end to the leaks so that we can then move forward and begin work on the inside of the building. Doing internal work only would be counterproductive in a building with a leaking roof.”
Another area that needs immediate attention is the bus garage. Duanesburg’s school buses are kept out of the harsh weather by being stored in a covered structure--or a pole barn. However, this building is currently being supported by make-shift columns because the main support columns have buckled due to excessive rusting. The building has been deemed structurally unsafe and could possibly collapse under a heavy snowfall.
Also, similar to homeowners who have to make repairs and perform maintenance tasks on their property and dwellings, district staff also need to maintain school buildings and grounds. For example, the sidewalks and curbs at both schools are crumbling and uneven; the masonry on the middle school façade is cracking and eroding; the North Lot stairs on the High School campus are rickety and unsafe; the boiler at the elementary school needs to be replaced with a high-efficiency, oil-fired unit and various HVAC and ventilation upgrades need to be made at both schools.
Improved bus loops. Many people expressed displeasure with the limitations and safety hazards tied to the district’s bus loops. The current bus looping systems at both schools has the bus drop-off zones, student drop-off zones and parking lots all in the same congested areas. Architects could improve the flow of traffic and create safer access to the schools by making separate bus loops and constructing parking lots and student pick-up and drop-off zones that would allow access to the buildings without interfering with bus transportation. Parents would be able to drop off or pick up students without waiting in line for the buses to leave the school.
New softball field and track. Student athletes stated a need for a new softball field and track. Many people don’t realize that the existing track, located at the elementary school, does not meet state regulations and, therefore, can’t be used for competition. In fact, the High School track teams can never have a home track meet and must always be bused to other schools for all of their track meets.
The girls’ one and only softball field, located at the elementary school, is also in poor condition. And, because there’s only one field and three softball teams that need to use it, practices are typically held on a make-shift field which doesn’t have a pitching mound, bases, a backstop or baselines. The softball field is substandard and made with poor quality, grainy dirt that is so rough and full of pebbles that the players often cut their legs and arms when they slide or dive for a ball.
Build a bigger elementary school gym. The elementary school gym, which is part of the original building, does not meet current standards. It is too small for the school’s student population, it does not have appropriate wall padding or ventilation, and it has inadequate storage. Additionally, the old fold-in-the-wall cafeteria tables pose a safety risk because they could come unhinged. This gym is also used by our sports program. However, the gym is so small that players and spectators are often crammed in the space and there are no bleachers to accommodate spectators.
Renovate the stone building. The stone structure at the high school, which was built in 1809, has been condemned due to a crumbling structure, rotted floors, inadequate bathroom facilities, and poor electrical and ventilation systems. This building is currently unoccupied, and many people have questioned why the district is not using the structure. If the district renovated it, it could be used for many things. For example, it could house the art program (remove the existing art annex), it could be a weight room, or the district could rent it out to other paying programs to generate revenue.
Build an art complex that includes an auditorium and a classroom wing. Many people have expressed a desire for a district wide auditorium to be built at the MS/HS campus. In fact, a few years ago a group of residents formed the Auditorium Committee in an effort to raise awareness about and funding for a new auditorium at Duanesburg.
Currently, the district does not have an auditorium. At the elementary school, there is a stage in the cafeteria. At the High School, there is a stage in the gymnasium. Many important events such as concerts, plays, student shows, award ceremonies, community events and even the high school graduation ceremony are held in these rooms--which are not acoustically designed to support such events. The sound system is inadequate and the acoustics create an echo-affect when sound is projected. The seating is uncomfortable and insufficient for good viewing.
“We worked hard to create a stellar band program,” says Superintendent Crowley. “We now have a terrific band that so many kids want to be a part of but, we don’t have the space to support it. In the near future we may have to start turning away kids who want to be in band,” she adds.
If an auditorium with arts classrooms was built, the district would be able to provide students with a true arts-related experience. Music and theater classrooms would be connected to the auditorium which would be used for arts curriculum instruction (set design, lighting, sound, video, acting, singing, etc.) and students would finally have the space to practice together. Currently, students in band have to practice at separate times because the whole band can’t fit into the music classroom. Students in the theater/drama program rarely get to use the existing stage for instruction and practice because the gym is being used for PE classes and sports team practices.
“The only time the band ever hears itself together is at rehearsal the day before the concert,” explains Band Teacher Scott Hopkins. “Our students are at a major disadvantage by not being able to practice together. Each instrument compliments and supports another, but our students are not being taught to practice and learn music the way they should when they can’t play as a unit.”
Auditorium Committee members also explained that an auditorium would enable the district to host state music and theater competitions as well as revenue-inducing arts-related programs.
“We could house music and theater programs, such as the Missoula Children’s Theater--among others, in our auditorium so that we can offer Duanesburg students a creative outlet during the summer months and foster a love of the arts,” explains Dionne Grygas.
Next steps
The board is currently reviewing the comments and concerns submitted by forum attendees as they continue to discuss whether or not a capital project should be proposed to the public as well what the scope and cost of the project would be.
The board is still seeking input from community members who are encouraged to either contact the board directly or to call or email Superintendent Christine Crowley at 895-5350 or ccrowley@duanesburg.org.