The 2003-2004 school year is well underway, but fall 2005 is coming.
Toward that end, Clarkston school officials are working on school building construction and grade reconfiguration.
After voter approval of a $83.7 million bond issue in June, officials are reporting some renovation projects already completed. Still to come are major work to convert the district’s two middle schools into buildings for sixth-seventh and eighth-ninth, respectively.
Summer was productive, according to Bruce Beamer, executive director of business and financial services. He offered a report at the Monday, Sept. 8 school board meeting.
Even with some weather problems and other challenges four school roofs were replaced this summer, Beamer said. Bond technology funds have purchased 200 new personal computers for Clarkston High School, and playground equipment is expected to be installed at elementary schools in October, weather permitting.
This fall, staff is preparing bid specifications for band equipment and an irrigation system for athletic fields.
“We’re on our way. There will be ups. There will be downs,” Beamer said. “Overall, I’m really pleased.”
The district has also hired Wes Goodman as an “owner’s representative” and is forming “construction design response teams” to respond to architect’s proposals.
What was called a “very preliminary” construction timetable drew some concern from board members, with completion dates at Clarkston and Sashabaw middle schools not expected until September 2005.
“I believe those two buildings should be the priority,” Trustee Mary Ellen McLean said.
Goodman agreed, and said that will be a topic of conversation with contractors.
“We’d like to see everything completed by August, as well,” he said.
“If that’s the consensus, we’ll try to move it up,” Beamer said.
Beamer, believing the “team process” will be helpful, said it is essential to have all building feature details ironed out in advance.
“What we can design [now], and get it right, will reduce change orders,” which add cost and can delay completion, Beamer said.
“What we don’t want to happen is what happened at the high school,” Superintendent Al Roberts said, citing what he said were perceived building needs voiced after plans were finalized and “out of scope” in relation to cost and design.
Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent Dave Reschke outlined some of the preliminary “philosophy and goals” in designing curriculum for the new intermediate schools.
Plans call for Sashabaw Middle School to house sixth and seventh grades, and Reschke said it will be an extension of “upper elementary growth and development.”
Staff will work to create a small school environment, perhaps to the point of a “school within a school” for the different grades.
Clarkston Middle School, meanwhile, will be an “academy” style building for eighth and ninth grades.
“We want them to be prepared for a rigorous high school environment,” Reschke said.
Toward that end, the district may establish “credit” requirements for eighth graders similar to that used for high school students. That could help students be better ready for the actual credits required in ninth grade.
“A number of our kids come out of ninth grade with a credit deficit,” Reschke said.
The eighth-ninth building will also feature the same discipline protocols and standards used at Clarkston High School.
“You have to have some very clear guidelines for kids,” Reschke said. “We know that’s going to be a requirement to make that school be successful.”
Among decisions yet to be made are names for the reconfigured buildings and how to handle athletics and fine arts in grades 5 through 8.
Reschke said the sixth-seventh building will likely have emphasis on intramural competition, while the eighth-ninth building should offer interscholastic opportunities.
Trustees have been invited to be “observers” at the team meetings, but officials want the participants to be open and honest about their desires for the revised grade structure and curricula.
“There are all sorts of possibilities,” Roberts said. “We’re not locked into anything at this time.”