CTS Group of St. Louis, Mo., presented phase II of the proposed Twin Rivers R-X High School in Broseley for discussion among board of education members during their regular meeting Tuesday.
CTS Project Development Engineer Rodney Bridger presented a 41,700 square foot school with 18 classrooms, a science lab, two computer labs, a media center, two locker rooms, storage areas, administration offices, a concession stand and 1,040 seat gymnasium.
Superintendent Jeremy Siebert and board members expressed the need for more seating in the proposed gym. The current gym is estimated to seat about 1,100.
It was suggested to increase the seating to about 1,400 by adding more bleachers at the end of the gym or expand the 9,060 square foot gym.
Board members also expressed interest in a stage in the gymnasium. Bridger reported portable gyms are becoming more popular, would occupy less space and could be stored while not in use.
Concerns regarding reducing the number of cafeterias in the district, parking and mixing younger and older students also were addressed regarding the proposed high school building.
To accommodate the increased number of students in the potential building, Siebert said a suggestion would be to begin lunch earlier and add more shifts to the lunch schedules.
The subcommittees for Proposition K.I.D.S. met for their first meeting last week and Siebert said the logistics committee would begin to gather input form school cooks to help come to a solution.
Discussion has taken place about adding more parking out to the edge of the current high school sign, but Bridger said a sight engineer would be able to address parking issues.
While no older students will share class or cafeteria space with younger students at the proposed building, except for maybe passing in the hallways, Siebert suggested staggering bell schedules and asked for input from Fisk Principal Leean Mann, whose school is mixed with younger and older students.
Mann said the age difference has not been an issue and looks at it as an opportunity for the older students to be role models for the younger children.
"We are doing a lot of work right now even though you don't see it," Bridger said. "We are in the early stages and this is the kind of input we need."
Four citizens, Bruce Goodrich, Dennis Thurman, Ray Stewart and Ted Cunningham, attended the meeting and addressed the board with questions and concerns they had regarding the proposed high school and tax increase.
One of the concerns among the four was why the district is proposing for more space when district enrollment is down.
Siebert said the proposed high school would allow for more room at the Fisk campus and offer more opportunities for students such as more course options, including Algebra I for junior high students, and technology opportunities that the current building cannot support.
As the process proceeds and more information is gathered, Siebert said multiple open houses are planned to address the public questions.
"We want to do all we can to get that information out there so people can make the most informed vote they can, whether they are for or against it," Siebert said.
If Proposition K.I.D.S. does not pass, Goodrich asked the board how they plan to pay for the $1.9 million district-wide improvements completed this past summer.
Siebert reported the payments can be made by "tightening the belt" in other areas of the budget or a proposed smaller tax increase.
Board member Roger Baxter said he did not like taxes and Proposition K.I.D.S. would hit him hard like many citizens in the district, but added to continue progression the board is running out of options.
"I want progress for Twin Rivers," Baxter said. "I want Twin Rivers to be here for my grandkids and I don't think it will be if we don't do something eventually."
Goodrich told Baxter he was not against progress, but did not know if this was the answer, or what the answer was.
"That's why we are putting it on the ballot for the people," Baxter said.
In other action:
High School Counselors Anna Whitlow and Christina Miller presented the board with college and career readiness statistics from high school students, including average ACT scores compared to the state, plans to help prepare students for college and how the newly added advisory time during the school day is leading to improved grades.
The board approved the mandatory January policy updates.
The Procurement Policy for Child Nutrition Program was approved.
The board approved Code Conduct number 200.318 Procurement Procedures.
During executive session, the board unanimously voted to hire Robin Goings as a night custodian at Fisk. The board also voted 5-1 to extend Siebert's contract as superintendent until June 30, 2020. Board member David Dugger voted no and board member Donna Sue Ashcraft-Fincher was not present to vote.
The next Twin Rivers R-X Board of Education meeting will be at noon Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Central Office board room.