High school facilities needs top list

High school facilities needs top list
Tuesday night Community Facilities Task Force Chair Dan Reid provided a report on the recently completed 2010 Facilities Report.

The group began meeting in January. This is the third report since 1996 the Community Facilities Task Force has produced to provide the school district information on its facilities needs. The entire report will soon be posted on the district's website: www.wwps.org.

Below is a summary of the priority recommendations in the 2010 report:
# 1 - High Schools
High school facilities were found to be in greatest need of improvement. The Task Force recommends that the School Board address Walla Walla High School deficiencies in phases, focusing on the highest priorities: science and math classrooms, the commons and overcrowding. Lincoln Alternative High School should be replaced in a single project. Continue to pursue the Southeastern Washington branch of the Tri Tech Skills Center, as this opportunity proceeds through the legislature.

# 2 - Pioneer Middle School
Replace an antiquated boiler system and expand the air conditioning system to the entire building. Expand and remodel the existing gym and construct an additional gym. Add classroom space to relieve overcrowding.

# 3 - Blue Ridge/Preschool Facility
Relocate the preschool to a different site and return Blue Ridge to a neighborhood elementary school.

# 4 - Comprehensive Facility Maintenance Program
Task Force members feel strongly that the district should continue to have a strong facility maintenance program. The program should be based on research and data. Consider using outside resources and a combination of school district personnel and community experts to help develop and monitor a district-wide facilities maintenance plan.

Community Facilites Task Force Membership
Dan Reid (Chair), Opp and Seibold Construction
Darcey Fugman-Small, Woodward Canyon Winery
Mary Koch, Retired Educator
Jim Peterson, Walla Walla Community College
Pat Johnston, WWPS - Chief Financial Officer
Karen Carman, Parent Representative
Craig Sievertsen, Parent Representative - Banner Bank
Gay Buissink, Teacher - Wa-Hi Business Education
Jim Sporleder, Principal - Lincoln High School
Allan Gillespie, Owner, Gillespie Roofing
Ruth Ladderud, Whitman College
Scott Krivoshein, Investment Broker, Raymond James
Dan Hess, Lawyer - School Board Member
Jerry Zahl, Walla Walla Farmers Co-Op

NON-VOTING MEMBERS
Lowell Schneider, Plant Facilities Director
Dan Johnson, Facilities Support Director
Dr. Rich Carter, Superintendent
Mark Higgins, Communications Director
John Evans, Architects West
Kay Schisler, Task Force Administrative Assistant

NON-VOTING OBSERVER
Rob Blethen, Publisher, Walla Walla Union Bulletin