School district reviews preliminary high school renovation options

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Community School District has two new ideas to consider to renovate the high school building.

During a special meeting on Tuesday, May 27, School Board members met with representatives from FEH Design to look at preliminary plans for an extensive high school project.

Earlier this year the board approved a $4-5 million plan to address the aging high school building’s heating, cooling and electrical needs.

While that plan addresses some of the building’s immediate needs, the board has also decided to get an immediate start on a much more extensive renovation with the intention of holding a bond referendum this November.

For the last several weeks FEH has been consulting with administration staff, educators and members of the community, collecting feedback to guide proposals to address the high school’s infrastructure needs.

“There have been more than 200 people involved in this thus far,” said architect Christopher Wand.

FEH has developed two preliminary options for the district to consider. The first, designed to be the least expensive option, applies a relatively light touch to the building, focusing on bringing as much of the building up to code as possible.

“The intention was to affect as many student areas as we can,” said architect Matt Basye.

The most substantial work planned with Option 1 would be in the 500 circle, converting the center area into a new media center and multi-purpose space. The current media center on the north end of the building would be reworked to facilitate middle school art and band.

The 600 circle would also get an overhaul with an expansion to the FCS kitchen while the school’s own kitchen, which prepares all the food for both the high school and middle school, will receive a much-needed expansion.

Wand acknowledged that Option 1 doesn’t change the overall footprint of the building and thus doesn’t address many of the spatial needs that educators would like addressed.

“It does better utilize the space that you have,” said Wand.

FEH’s preliminary plans for Option 2 are more elaborate.

While many of the renovations for the 500 circle, industrial area and gymnasium are repeated, the most notable change is that the 400 and 600 circles would be removed and new construction would be built along the interior of the campus, creating new space for common areas, a school kitchen and music classrooms.

The existing common area and school kitchen would be repurposed into a lobby and an expanded space for the FCS kitchen.

In addition, each of the two preliminary options also take into account the potential for a “Phase 2,” which could be implemented down the line.

While not part of the bond proposal planned for this year, an eventual Phase 2 would involve new construction on the building that would include an auditorium.

Preliminary plans have also been developed to explore options for the school’s remaining property at the North Grand building if so desired.

Along with the school board, members of the High School Improvement committee also got to see the preliminary plans during a meeting on Wednesday.

Ahead of meeting with FEH, the committee toured the high school building as Superintendent Dr. Brian Burnight and Director of Operations Jerry Mitchell walked them through the numerous aspects of the high school that are either in violation of building code or, more problematic, the Americans with Disabilities Act.

From bathroom accessibility to table heights, being out of compliance with ADA regulations puts the district in a legally vulnerable situation where a complaint could force the district to resolve the issue using building funds that would otherwise be dedicated to other operations.

Bringing as much of the building as possible up to code, without crossing the 50% threshold that would require the entire building to be renovated, is a major priority of either option.

With two generalized options to consider, the school board and community can start thinking about which path to take – a  decision that will likely be largely impacted by how much each option will cost.

FEH anticipates having rough estimates for the cost of each option ready for the School Board’s next meeting in June.

“I think we’re headed in the right direction,” said Board President Bruce Koebrick. “Any progress is a good thing.”