Maintenance, safety and traffic big concerns of school bond committee

The Bond Committee of the Orcas Island School District met last week with Carlos Sierra and Dale Lang of Sierra-Martin Architects to review the specifications of the building project to be funded by a new bond – and approximately $200,000 held over  from the previous bond, dedicated to Career Tech Ed (CTE) classrooms.

At the April 27 meeting, Sierra went over the history of his firm’s involvement and process since 2005, when they were hired by then-superintendent Barry Acker. The committee and public attending the meeting were Tom Gobeske, Marian O’Brien, Maddie Murray, Moriah Doss, Daniel Kau, Kari Schuh, Barbara Kline, Lizz Hanks, Dan Drake and Chris Rost.

In 2005, the goal was to construct a 4,000 square foot building to house music, technical education and cafeteria programs, said Sierra.  In the time since, “clear direction” was lost, said Sierra, and the rebuild became a “Big Ask thing,”with the “wish list” including such amenities as a swimming pool and performing arts center.

In the process, the condition of the Middle School became the focus of attention, with the lack of shared walls and insulation, and improperly installed installation for the roof. (According to attorneys consulted by the school district, the building is determined to be safe.

Sierra noted that “all in the OISD observed due diligence” throughout the process. A meeting to review the study and survey findings was held in October, 2005.  Soon afterwards, Acker left the district and focus on the project was unclear.

Five voluminous notebooks have been kept throughout the process since then, (which are available for review in the OISD office).

With the school board planning to ask for a bond renewal next February, current Superintendent Barbara Kline has asked Sierra’s firm to finalize the design for the project. To that end, a number of community meetings will be held during May to set priorities so that the architects can finalize the design concept and cost opinion in June.

Kau asked that everyone on the board be sure in their understanding of the size and cost of the project. The bond committee can recommend a bond price to the school board.

“The beauty of all the work done since 2005 is you can ask us all questions in detail because we’ve considered every option,” said Sierra.

Sierra encouraged the committee to designate a project manager to make sure that both the costs and the state and construction requirements are met.

While several committee members commented that construction costs are dropping, they noted that consideration must be given for “Orcas Island prices,” especially if the contractor for the project comes from off-island.

Phasing the project in smaller parts may turn out to be more expensive than undertaking the entire project , Sierra said.

He added that maintenance of the project is also an “important political aspect… lack of maintenance shortens the life of the building – it’s a serious subject. He said that the life cycle of a building is typically 30 to 35 years, and its mechanical systems usually need replacement after 20 years.

Beyond the Middle School Building (on the southeast corner of the OISD campus) “the committee needs to be aware that there are needs in other buildings,” said Sierra, such as the roof and siding for the High School building and the mechanical system.

Kau also brought up the need for a good traffic circulation plan before construction starts, and agreed to head a committee to discuss and recommend traffic plans.

Following meetings of interested parties this month, the Bond Committee plans to meet with the architects again on Tuesday, June 2 at 6 p.m. to finalize exact specifications.

Sierra said of the lengthy design process, “I don’t think time was wasted. It demonstrates due diligence and care for the community.”

The need is clear; the community can benefit for a long time, and it can stimulate local economy, said Kline. She requested that the project be discussed at the next school board meeting, to be held Thursday, May 28 in the school library.