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The start of an extensive renovation project at Freeman High School is still several months away – but many will tell you that the foundation for the work was poured way back in December 2007.
It was then that a grassroots committee, formed of community residents, begin to rally support for a $19.5 million capital improvement bond scheduled for the following spring. Over 130 people signed on to help get the word out.
“It was a tremendous effort from our community,” said Freeman Superintendent Sergio Hernandez. “So many people were asking how they could get involved.”
Passing the funding initiative would not be an easy task. The issue had appeared on three previous ballots going back to 2002 and fallen short each time. In 2005, the bond failed by 10 percentage points. In 2002, a mere 26 votes represented the margin of defeat.
The district also did its homework leading up to the May 20 ballot, researching school financing and putting together an informative mailer that later earned an award from the Washington Association of Public Schools.
By the time all the ballots were tallied, the bond had passed with 65.8 percent of the vote.
In addition to the $19.5 million, the victory meant $10.5 million in state matching funds. The money would go toward long overdue improvements for Freeman’s high school and elementary school.
“I think people understood this was something positive for our district,” Hernandez said. “The community really stepped up.”
These days, Hernandez and others are working on the design development phase of the high school renovation. The plan, which includes space allocation, classroom location and elevations, provides the architect with a blueprint for the implementation of the structural design as well as mechanical and electrical systems.
The process also includes a review known as a Value Engineering study in which an independent consultant provides input on the design with an emphasis on cost-efficiency. Roen Associaties, a Spokane-based construction management firm specializing in cost evaluation, will submit the VE study to district officials next month.
“We’re basically trying to determine that we’re getting value for our dollar,” Hernandez said.
The Freeman school board will discuss the study at a special meeting on Thursday, Dec. 4, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Freeman Middle School Library. Hernandez said the community is encouraged to attend and provide feedback on the document.
The high school upgrade will address improvements throughout a building that dates back to 1957. The renovation will add some 20,000 square feet to the current campus and is expected to cost $17.2 million. The remaining $9.8 million will fund reconstruction efforts at the elementary school.
After the design development phase for the high school is approved, the district will prepare for the bidding process. Hernandez estimated that bids would go out sometime in March 2009 and be awarded by mid-April. If all goes well, construction could begin by early May.
Hernandez said the timeline for the high school project is approximately 16 months with some portions of the building being ready by November or December 2009 and completion scheduled for August 2010. Students will be housed in portable classrooms during construction.
The design development phase for the elementary school is expected to begin in late spring of next year.
On Thursday, Dec. 18, the district will sponsor a work study session to review the final design/floor plan of the high school with community residents. The 5 p.m. study session will be followed by a 6 p.m. meeting at which the school board is expected to review and approve the design development plan.
“This work will eventually result in something we can be proud of,” Hernandez said.
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By
Craig Howard
