Move-in date for new school pushed back

Whitefish School District’s architectural firm last week set out its plans for creating a new high school to the school board.

DLR Group presented its draft schedule for construction that includes a move-in projection of August 2014. The firm was originally selected two years ago to create a conceptual design for a new school and the board recently approved further work by the firm.

Craig Mason, with DLR, told the school board his firm looks forward to continued work on the project.

“We’re really anxious to continue the work and have great aspirations for how great the new high school will be,” Mason said.

The firm this month is working with teachers and staff to refine its design. Final design development and site assessment is set for this summer and construction to begin spring 2013.

The scheduled move-in date of August 2014 is a change from the original projections of January.

“We need a little bit more time,” Mason said. “Construction would begin next spring.”

A few members of the audience took exception to the change.

Joan Vetter Ehrenberg told the board she is worried by the delay.

“I’m disappointed we committed a January 2014 time frame to the community and now we’re talking August,” she said. “There are people that really want this project to happen. We felt that with the voter turnout. If there’s anyway we can push things forward.”

Mason said the move-in time could be sooner if the process moves more quickly than anticipated. Until the design is complete and a contractor is hired, he said, the schedule isn’t concrete.

Superintendent Kate Orozco said she understands there was an expected move-in date, but the focus needs to be on creating the best school possible.

“We want to be able to take the time to think and plan well,” she said. “I know we promised some students they would get at least a half year in the new building and that may not happen, but we want to create a great building.”

The board noted that it has a set process to follow after the passage of the levy election. The district can’t legally sell the bonds until late June, which will give it the money for the project.

“I know everyone is really excited,” boardmember Dave Fern said. “But that’s why it seems like it’s taking longer than it should.”

During the design process, architects will be looking at where classrooms should be located and what size rooms will be. Mason said the design process would take the current concept and then refine it further.

“I’m happy where we’ve ended so far, but this is really the beginning of the design concept,” Mason said. “We will continue to improve the design and make it a project that is the best possible.”

The board has created an oversight committee that will work with DLR during the process. The board will ultimately approve the design.

The school board April 24 approved an agreement with DLR for hourly services not to exceed $50,000. The agreement allows the firm to begin work immediately on the high school project until a final contract can be negotiated. DLR has partnered with Jackola Engineering on the project.

The new building will be a mix of new construction and remodeling. Construction is still expected to happen in phases. The new sections of the building will be constructed and once students have moved in then the old pieces will be torn down.

Mason said the plan still includes doing as much of the remodel work as possible during the summer.

“I don’t see anything that would put kids in the same space as the construction work,” he said.

Throughout the next several months, DLR expects to continue meeting with staff and the school board as it works through the design process.

One of those conversations will include discussing the building plan in terms of sustainability and energy goals. For example, the board will have to decide if the building will meet LEED certification, which provides verification that a building has been constructed with green construction and for lower energy consumption.

A few audience members lobbied for LEED certification for the building. Others asked the board to build to LEED standards, but questioned whether paying for certification would be necessary. Some voiced the importance of making decisions that make sense economically, too.

Mason said further study is planned through the process, but that entry level LEED building standards can likely be achieved relatively cost effectively. The cost to the district for construction materials, long-term maintenance and the potential savings will all have to be considered, he noted.

“There is a lot of variables that go into making smart decisions,” he said.

The school board will soon solicit requests for proposals for an owner’s representative and general contractor on the project.