 |
School to Community Connection |
|
Issue 100 School Facilities Update The Healdsburg School District is facing many important challenges and this is the first of a series of columns concerning the issues at hand. As Interim Superintendent since July, I have been actively working with the School Board, site administrators, staff, parents and community leaders to meet these challenges. One of the most visible needs concerns our facilities—the school sites. Based on the most recent long-term enrollment projections for Healdsburg, the School Board made a determination earlier this year that the Healdsburg Unified School District would not require three elementary school sites. As a result, the Administration was directed to pursue the possibility of selling the Foss Creek Elementary school site as surplus property. The first step in this process was to form a Community Involvement Committee. The Committee was formed and met three times. At their meeting on October 19th, the School Board accepted the Committee’s report which stated in part, “the appointed Community Involvement Committee has concluded that there is surplus property …… That has been determined to be Foss Creek School and fields property.” The California Education and Government Codes mandate that the District offer the sale of the property to other public agencies prior to making the property available to private bidders. We are in the process of fulfilling this requirement and will provide updates as they become available. Our most noticeable project is the construction of the new Fitch Mountain Elementary School at University and Monte Vista Avenues funded by Bond Measure H. If construction continues to go as planned, the new facility will be ready for occupancy in July, in time for the start of school in 2006. The Board of Trustees is in the process of determining which elementary grade levels will be served at the new site as well as at the Healdsburg Elementary School site. Less visible, but also important, have been the improvements to our Healdsburg Elementary School site. These improvements include upgraded heating and cooling systems, a new roof, a new fire alarm system and remodeled restrooms. In addition, the renovation to the lobby of Smith Robinson gym at Healdsburg High School is on schedule to be completed by the December REIBT event. The improvements at these sites were also funded by bond measures. The School Board has given the “go ahead” for the District to make the transition from a 7th and 8th grade Junior High School to a Middle School serving those two grades and adding the 6th grade. Healdsburg Junior High Principal, John Curry, is working with the current Junior High Staff and our 6th grade teachers to make this transition as smooth and educationally supportive as possible for all students and staff. More information on this transition will be made available as the detailed plans for the next school year are completed by Mr. Curry and the teaching staff. I recognize that there are many other issues of concern and welcome input regarding topics of interest. I can be reached at 431-3117 or by e-mail at bcarter@husd.com. By Bob Carter, HUSD Interim Superintendent
|
|
