Carson City School District seeks long-term solutions

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March 13, 2002

School district seeks long-term solutions

by Sally J.

Bricks and mortar won over replacing portable classrooms with more portables

in the Carson City School District.

The district Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved plans to pursue bonding

for a permanent replacement for mold-infested portable classrooms to be

removed from Bordewich-Bray Elementary School. The specifics of the bond

measure for the Nov. 7 election as well as what a new building involves will

be decided later.

" We are voting for a bricks and mortar solution rather than portables at

this time, " said board Vice President Doug Ponn. " Then, at some future date,

we will decide just what that bricks and mortar solution will be. "

Going for the long-term solution was the decision that parent Kay Scherer

wanted to hear.

" It's the best use of the taxpayer's dollars, the best plan for the campus, "

said Scherer who had attended all three of the board meetings when the mold

problem was discussed. " It's not as safe as it could be -- students move

back and forth (between the Bray building and Bordewich building). It feels

like a good decision. "

Even though her fifth-grade son will move on to middle school next year,

Scherer promised to support the bond and construction plan.

Mike , the district's director of operations, presented the board

with a cost benefit analysis that indicated a permanent building provided a

superior long-term investment.

To replace the 15,000 square feet of space that will be lost by removal of

the portables after the school year ends, portables would initially cost

$750,000 compared to $1.87 million for new construction.

However, the portables would have to be replaced three times to stretch the

expected life of 60 years for a new building. That brings the cost for

portables to $2.2 million for the time span.

Maintenance and operation of portables costs about three times what it costs

for a permanent structure, explained, relying on his experience

maintaining the district's portables.

" (Approving a construction project) flies in the face of how we've operated

over the last 10 years. It's expedient and necessary sometimes, "

said. " But, if we plan, we can go for 60 years. "

The board will have to approve language for the bond measure by the second

meeting in April. Then it would go to the Debt Management Committee for

analysis.

In a special public meeting on Monday, the board of trustees discussed a

$3.75 million project. Bonding for that amount would not raise property

taxes but the amount now earmarked for schools would be carried for a longer

period of time.

Currently, the mold-infested buildings have been cleaned and are tested at

least monthly. They will continue to be used for the remainder of the school

year.

Where those classes will go remains to be decided. However, expects

to be able to replace two portables with special education grants for those

students. That leaves music, the library, nurses office and other student

resource offices to be relocated.