A project review of the proposed early childhood center (ECH) was presented by Dille and Traxel Architecture at Thursday's Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education meeting. Currently located inside the Mark Twain School at 1235 North Main St., relocation of the facility to the current kindgergarten center site has been under discussion since the summer.
Board members directed Dille and Traxel in October to move forward with plans and budgeting for the new construction project. Architect Benjamin Traxel said after much discussion with ECH and kindergarten teachers and administrators, and time spent surveying current traffic flow before and after school at the kindergarten site, the proposed plan includes a 34,110 square foot building with 15 classrooms, a multi-purpose room, and other conveniences specific to the needs of 3 and 4-year-olds.
The project's total development cost is $7,359,088. Architect Mike Pollard said soft costs, such as furniture and fixtures, may vary, but that the proposed price tag should cover the entire project, including civil engineering fees, playground equipment and site development. Pollard said the numbers are based on current market prices.
"We do try to estimate a little high here," said Traxel, adding that the multi-purpose room has not been designed as a storm shelter at this point, but will allow adequate space to serve the school's various needs.
Traxel said the layout and square footage allows for the future growth of enrollment numbers and that separating kindgergarten and ECH traffic was a primary focus of the plan.
No further action was required of the board last night, and the decision of whether or not to move forward with the project will be discussed at future meetings.
Lake Road Principal Erica Weadon presented a classroom reconfiguration plan she has developed to combat the school's low enrollment numbers. The elementary building currently serves 179 students, but could accommodate about 80 more, Weadon said.
Along with classroom reconfiguration, Weadon said she would like to see the school become a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) building, which means the curriculum would focus on those subjects in a project-based approach.
Board members directed Weadon to further develop her plan by surveying parents on their individual interests and needs. Once more information has been attained, Weadon will deliver the results to the board before moving forward.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance Rod Priest said, to date, more than $15 million has been collected in local tax revenue, which is behind last year's number by approximately $100,000. Priest said he does not think the current year's budget will be impacted and expects to close the gap as delinquent taxes continue to be collected.
The next Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education meeting will be held at 7 p.m. March 15 in the central office board room, located at 1110 N. Westwood Blvd.