Rick Witt, a representative from the architectural firm Kimball and Associates, was on hand at the Bellwood-Antis School Board meeting this week to discuss future plans for Myers Elementary School.
Witt will give a much more detailed presentation on March 1 but gave a more simplified explanation of the plans to board members on Tuesday.
“When you’re considering the building process, the result is a bunch of different pieces that fit together for what you’re project needs,” said Witt.
He explained that, after discussions with the administration, they looked at different categories based on enrollment, curriculum and deficiencies within the current building.
“The goal for tonight is to make sure we all understand and agree with the components in the spreadsheet provided that show your options,” Witt said.
There were two options that were floating around regarding changes to the elementary school. The first of which included five classrooms for grades one through four. Also, in lieu of six full-day Kindergartens, there would be four.
“However, after working with the administration, they were more compelled with a six classroom (per grade level) scenario. They felt that would be most appropriate, maybe not necessarily now, but for the future,” said Witt.
Witt said that other things became apparent after walking through the current elementary building.
“You have a special education program and learning enrichment but they are not in areas specifically designed for that or in the appropriate space,” Witt said.
He also pointed out that the Myers Elementary School multipurpose room is sized for just eating but added that typically today these rooms have a dual purpose such as eating, holding gym classes and assemblies.
Witt added, “The kitchen is probably not undersized but because there’s a lack of storage, stuff is starting to infiltrate the kitchen.”
It was also suggested by Witt that the District Administrative offices could be transplanted into the elementary school.
“It’s not necessary they be in the elementary school, but it’s planning for the future. Plus you gain space in the high school,” he said. “You can return this building (middle and high school) to its full square footage for middle and high school purposes.”
At this point, Witt explained, he is just trying to gather information and lay out options so the District can make a decision.
“If we’re within some level of agreement, then I’ll know what the pieces are, however, we need to decide on the scope (of the project) to know whether it’s an addition and renovation or a new building,” said Witt.
“If we had six classrooms per grade level it would give each class about 17 students where we are now (with enrollment). If we grow to around 120 in a grade level it’s still only going to give us 20 students per classroom,” said Superintendent Brian Toth. “I think that’s something we need to look at, smaller class size, which studies show is better for elementary learning.”
Superintendent Toth also asked Witt if there was anything that the District may have missed.
“We rely on your expertise working with other schools,” said Toth.
“We talked about outlining two rooms for a pre-K program,” said Witt, “That might be an area where we want to quantify that so I could then say yes additional square footage is needed or no its not.
“I think we’ve looked at this pretty in-depthly unless there’s a program we haven’t looked at.
“I think what he (Witt) is saying tonight is if there is something you don’t want, take it out now or if there is something you do want or even have a question about, bring it up now,” said Business administrator Ken Swanson.
“We don’t want to find out after we design or build it that we left something out,” said Witt.
Board member John Shaffer brought up the question of the courtyard, regarding whether it would be left as is or if something would be built in that space.
“Usually there’s something like a library or something of focus you want in the center of the school,” said Witt, “if you fill in the courtyard there is a potential for windowless classrooms or a noise problem.
“Plus you have to look at costs. To build in the courtyard, you would have to lift materials over the building to get in there. It’s possible we may have to though if there’s not enough space.”
Shaffer also wanted to know what would need to be done with present district space if they’re moving to the elementary school.
“We could identify what the vacated space is. The only thing I’d need is what would that space be turned into – a classroom, or science lab,“ said Witt.
“Or an additional music classroom,” offered Shaffer.
Witt said that could certainly be included in the study.
He added, “Questions came up on millage and cost.”
Referring back to previous comments about making sure everything the District wants is put into the initial plans, Witt explained it may come down to making a decision to cut certain parts of the plan.
“This is what we would like to have (the initial plans) but we might get a number and have to decide, now what do we leave out? So I think it’s better to start out with all the things on the table and then figure out what we can leave out.
“If we didn’t itemize the space and we just had 40,000 square feet, we wouldn’t be able to go back and look at what we can change.”
