What is the estimated cost of each project?
The District is asking that the community consider two different options for the potential construction of the new middle school - either attached to the existing High School ($58.1 million) or detached ($71.4 million). The cost difference between the two options is representative of the efficiencies that are gained by having the building attached and integrated with existing building systems infrastructure. These costs also include sitework to create a safer traffic pattern for bus and parent drop-off and pedestrian circulation on the entirety of the campus.
Additional potential add-on’s to the project include:
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Aquatics Facility ($18.4 million)
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High School Classroom Improvements ($8 million)
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High School Gymnasium ($7.5 million)
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High School Entrance and Exterior Finishes ($6.8 million)
The community can decide which Middle School option they prefer and indicate interest in add-on projects via the community survey. The District will not decide what the potential total facilities referendum scope would be until feedback is collected. The potential range in total cost is anywhere from $58.1 million to $112.1 million.
Where can I reference CESA 10’s Facility Audit Report from June 2021?
The Facility Audit Report can be found by clicking the link here.
What was the Future Facilities Committee process?
The District formed the Future Facilities Committee (FFC) in the fall of 2022. This group was open to anyone in the community who wanted to attend. In these initial meetings, the District presented a Facility Audit Report compiled by CESA 10, in which the needs / goals of the District and its existing facilities were outlined.
In the summer of 2023, the District brought Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP (PRA) and CG Schmidt (CGS) on board as architectural and construction management partners. Staff and administration were interviewed to discuss existing facilities and District needs / goals in order to start developing long-range master planning options. PRA and CGS continued to meet with the FFC monthly to discuss these options and the costs associated with the proposed scope of work. RW Baird, financial consultant, then explained the tax impact of the proposed costs.
With all of this information at hand, the FFC was able to prioritize the District’s needs and make a recommendation for work to be addressed in the first phase of the long-range master plan. Support for this recommendation will be gauged via the community survey, crafted by School Perceptions.
How did the District arrive at the cost estimates?
Plunkett Raysich Architects, LLP (PRA) and CG Schmidt (CGS) work closely together to define cost per square foot associated with conceptual planning. These numbers are based on historical data of projects of similar scope and projections for inflation.
What is long-range master planning?
The total cost of work that is in need of being addressed exceeds $200 million. The District knows that this amount of work cannot be tackled at once, so the work has been prioritized and broken down into different phases of work that define an overall long-range master plan. It is important for districts to have a plan in place of how to support current needs, future needs, strategic planning, and community priorities. What isn’t addressed in this first phase of work, will be addressed in the future as prescribed in the long-range master plan.
What is an operational referendum? What is a facilities referendum?
An operational referendum allows a school district to raise additional funds for such things as transportation, fuel, curriculum, textbooks, compensation, insurance, utilities, technology, and special education services. The current funding Portage Community SD is receiving at the moment, will expire in 2026. The District will likely ask voters to review and extend this funding.
A facilities referendum is done for the purpose of accomplishing large capital projects to address things like maintenance projects, upgrading spaces to align with modern learning, and improving deficient spaces.
What kind of operational efficiencies will be gained from having the middle school, aquatics facility, and high school under one roof?
It is important to the District and community to keep Middle School programming separate from High School programming. Though the proposed plan is to add a Middle School addition onto the existing High School, programming of each entity will be independent from the other. The High School students will continue to utilize the existing main entrance, while a new main entrance associated with the Middle School only will be included in the addition. Operational and infrastructural efficiencies will be gained through this solution, as both “buildings” will be housed under one roof, allowing for more efficient systems when it comes to mechanical, electrical, and plumbing.
A second option would be to build a stand along Middle School next to but not attached to the existing High School.
Site work specifics
Site traffic including parent drop-off and pick-up and bus drop-off and pick-up are not considered safe at this time. The solution proposed would centralize bus drop-off / pick-up in one central location off of the drive lanes. Parent drop-off / pick-up and parking will be separated as much as possible with the goal to minimize cross-traffic as much as possible.
How will the rural buildings and other elementary school scope be accommodated?
The District and community feel strongly that all students and staff are supported in their facilities. Projects at the elementary schools, especially Endeavor and Lewiston have a smaller scope than some of the schools on the main campus. By addressing the needs of the buildings on the main campus via referendum support, existing District fund balances will be able to address some of the current needs of these rural buildings (i.e. security, bathroom upgrades, etc.).
What will the Aquatics Facility include?
The programming of the proposed Aquatics Facility includes a new 8-lane competition pool, physical education lockers, community lockers, and mezzanine seating for spectators. The pool would be utilized by the District and it will also be open to the community during set hours.
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