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Schools look to major reworking of facilities
By Ashley Rhodebeck
Daily News staff writer
The Beloit elementary schools have not received significant capital improvements in at least 25 years, but the Board of Education is looking to change that.
Representatives from Bray Associates Architects presented their initial building reconfigurations for the School District of Beloit's master facilities plan during a special board meeting Tuesday.
Nothing is complete, but the future vision is beginning to clear.
The most change would occur at the elementary level.
Executive Director of Operations Ron Nortier said the 12 buildings haven't undergone significant improvements in the 25 years he's worked for the district. He said Burdge Elementary was the last school to receive such upgrades, and that happened in the 1970s.
Board President John Erikson said the community needs to understand this is why the board is exploring the architects' recommended improvements.
“How long can you put it off?” he asked. “We can't.”
Under the Sheboygan-based firm's initial proposals, the middle schools would be renovated, and elementary schools would undergo renovations to expand classrooms to 900 square feet. Where site size allows, the schools would designate rooms for music, art and special education and would separate gymnasiums from cafeterias.
The district would have the option to keep the current K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade configuration at an estimated cost of $83.9 million or switch to a system that would turn two elementary schools into K-8 programs at a projected cost of $70.8 million.
Both options could close up to four elementary schools.
Larry Bray, of Bray Associates, said his firm has helped other districts find new uses for closed schools or worked with them to sell the properties to a developer.
Beloit Memorial High School could also see change to its pool complex.
Civil engineers from Ambrose Engineering Inc. inspected the facility earlier this year. They concluded it is in good condition but recommended the district apply a protective coat of epoxy paint to the underside of the roof deck to prevent further corrosion.
Even so, Bray Associates drafted two renovations for the natatorium. One would modernize the pool and locker room at an estimated cost of $3.4 million.
The other, at a cost of $7.8 million, would turn the existing pool into a fitness center and would add a new pool to the school's north side.
For another $1.2 million, the district could also add a mezzanine level that would provide more seating.
Both options would have a 50-year life span.
Erikson encouraged his colleagues to look at the proposals at home. The board's next steps will be reaching a consensus on which options it would like to pursue.
In other news, the Policy and Personnel Committee met and tabled the policies regarding reimbursements for professional development opportunities and college tuition until December.
Representatives from Bray Associates Architects presented their initial building reconfigurations for the School District of Beloit's master facilities plan during a special board meeting Tuesday.
Nothing is complete, but the future vision is beginning to clear.
The most change would occur at the elementary level.
Executive Director of Operations Ron Nortier said the 12 buildings haven't undergone significant improvements in the 25 years he's worked for the district. He said Burdge Elementary was the last school to receive such upgrades, and that happened in the 1970s.
Board President John Erikson said the community needs to understand this is why the board is exploring the architects' recommended improvements.
“How long can you put it off?” he asked. “We can't.”
Under the Sheboygan-based firm's initial proposals, the middle schools would be renovated, and elementary schools would undergo renovations to expand classrooms to 900 square feet. Where site size allows, the schools would designate rooms for music, art and special education and would separate gymnasiums from cafeterias.
The district would have the option to keep the current K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade configuration at an estimated cost of $83.9 million or switch to a system that would turn two elementary schools into K-8 programs at a projected cost of $70.8 million.
Both options could close up to four elementary schools.
Larry Bray, of Bray Associates, said his firm has helped other districts find new uses for closed schools or worked with them to sell the properties to a developer.
Beloit Memorial High School could also see change to its pool complex.
Civil engineers from Ambrose Engineering Inc. inspected the facility earlier this year. They concluded it is in good condition but recommended the district apply a protective coat of epoxy paint to the underside of the roof deck to prevent further corrosion.
Even so, Bray Associates drafted two renovations for the natatorium. One would modernize the pool and locker room at an estimated cost of $3.4 million.
The other, at a cost of $7.8 million, would turn the existing pool into a fitness center and would add a new pool to the school's north side.
For another $1.2 million, the district could also add a mezzanine level that would provide more seating.
Both options would have a 50-year life span.
Erikson encouraged his colleagues to look at the proposals at home. The board's next steps will be reaching a consensus on which options it would like to pursue.
In other news, the Policy and Personnel Committee met and tabled the policies regarding reimbursements for professional development opportunities and college tuition until December.
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