Board studying school construction options
BROWNSVILLE – The Brownsville Area School Board on Wednesday unanimously authorized the administration to seek proposals for land surveys and engineering to determine if property around the high school/middle school is suitable for renovation and construction projects. Superintendent Dr. Gerry Grant said the board likely will select a project from four options at its regular meeting April 18.
The board has been focusing on a $23.5 million plan to renovate and expand the high school/middle school, but members want more time to consider options involving the elementary school program.
Board president Jim Brown said the geotechnical engineering study will include all the property around the high school/middle school because the study could reveal that the site where the addition to the school would be built is not suitable for the project.
If that site is not suitable, the study will enable to board to select a piece of land that can support a construction project, Brown said.
At an informational meeting Tuesday, all four options were outlined by Dick Jaymes of the N. John Cunzolo and Associates architectural firm.
Jaymes said core drilling tests will help determine how much pyrite exists on the high school property and locate any mines in the area. He said modern building technology can mitigate the effects of pyrite.
The project would create more classrooms and include separate gyms, cafeterias, libraries for the high school and middle school.
A second option involves renovating all three elementary schools, in addition to renovating and expanding the high school/middle school. Construction would cost $29 million, but it would require $37 million in bond financing.
The third option is converting the high school/middle school into an elementary complex for all elementary students in the district and building a new high school/middle school complex. This move would cost $38.5 million to build and $47 million to finance through bond issues.
The fourth option involves a new elementary complex and renovating and expanding the high school/middle school. This would cost about the same as the third option.
While board members consider the options, the administration will obtain proposals for preparing maps that show topography, utility lines and property boundaries, and for geotechnical engineering services.
At the suggestion of former board member Harold Richardson, Brown said the administration will look into using free services available from the State Public School Building Authority.
The board also authorized the administration to seek proposals from investment brokers and construction managers.
Board member Roseanne Markovich said she would want a construction manager who is not affiliated with the architectural firm.
Turning to other business, the board approved recalling one of the custodians who was laid off in the fall, effective Monday.
The board also discussed the old and outdated textbooks in use in various grades and subjects.
Board member Stella Broadwater said some books are 12 to 14 years old.
The board was asked to report on a rumor that new high school science books were ordered and later rejected.
Grant said a teacher ordered the books and they were delivered to the school, but the teacher then decided not to accept the books, and they were returned.
She said all teachers are given forms every spring to order the books they need for the next school year.
“I didn’t cancel the order,” Grant said. “I didn’t make the decision to send them back.”
Brown said the board didn’t order or cancel the volumes.
“I don’t know anyone on this board who would deny books,” board member Rocky Brashear said.