School Board reviews initial schematics for LRHS remodernization project

The Lind and Ritzville School Boards reviewed a schematic design proposal for the modernization of Lind-Ritzville High School from Architects West during the board meeting on Dec. 18.

Ed Champagne presented the design submittal to the school board members, and explained the schematic is based on the needs identified in the educational specifications that were provided during the previous month’s meeting.

The design will follow the existing footprint of the building, with the exterior walls remaining in place, but the interior of the building being completely remodeled. This will change the layout of the school in terms of classrooms, but the corridors will remain in the same locations, Champagne explained.

In the schematics, a potential change is the location of the entrance to the high school. Champagne said based on how the parking lot is placed, the natural selection for an entrance should be in the middle of the building, where the library is currently located.

The renovated office would provide a central entrance location for visitors and students, as well as the addition of a security vestibule, Champagne stated. The current entrance is located ideally for grade school students to come in to the high school, but it is not an obvious entrance for visitors.

The central location would allow the monitoring of the parking lot, and improve security by allowing staff to see who is entering the building, he added. Currently, the library is a large space, which will be easier to install the office space in the existing area.

The library would potentially be located next to the main office, and would be slightly smaller in terms of square footage, Champagne explained. Currently, the library is utilized for storage, technology lab and library classes for both high school and grade school students.

Champagne said the library is being programmed for a high school library, and will suit the needs of a high school class. In the design, there is also a potential collaboration room, and depending on how this space is utilized will also determine what the needs of the library will be as well.

One change to the initial schematics may be the addition of a doorway accessing the grassy area behind the high school, in order for the space to be used for outdoor learning.

Champagne said that will be the decision of the district, as it will mean another entrance to the building, which could be a safety concern.

The initial layout includes all of the specialty classrooms like science and family consumer science in the east wing of the school, while the general classrooms will be in the north wing.

Champagne said the band room will remain where it is, as it has already been developed to accommodate the class.

One potential expense will be a change to the roofing on the school. Champagne said there is a proposal to over-frame the roof in order to increase the pitch, as well as to allow mechanical equipment to be housed under it.

The change would create a more efficient roofing system for the school, as well as allow repair work to be done on equipment under cover, instead of in the elements. Champagne said he believes the budget can accommodate the work, but it is an item they will continue to discuss during the design process.

Champagne explained the design estimate based on the provided schematic is more than the maximum allowable for the project cost. He added this is common for this stage, as the design will be refined along the way.

Currently, Architects West is meeting with a committee every other week to discuss scenarios and identify the needs of the district. Champagne said they took parts and pieces of the discussion to create the current schematic, and will continue to do so as the design is finalized.

After his presentation, the Ritzville School Board unanimously approved the Lind-Ritzville High School scope, schedule, budget and schematic, which was provided by Architects West.

Both school boards also underwent a reorganization of positions. For the Ritzville School Board, Layne Iltz will now serve as chairman, and Reid Phillips will serve as vice chair. Iltz will also continue to serve as the WIAA representative for the board.

For the Lind School Board, Jani Melcher was elected to serve as chairman, and Bev Kulm as vice chair. Adam Labes will continue to serve as a representative for WIAA and LEA, and Melcher will also serve as an LEA representative.

Kulm and Laurinda Ritz will serve as the representatives for PSE.

The Community Connection for the evening was provided by the Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick.

He began his presentation explaining the department includes four full-time officers, and provides 24-hour coverage for the community, though some of the coverage time is on call.

With the school, the RPD helps monitor traffic in the school zones, attends sporting events to monitor the parking lots, helps with community counseling, drug or alcohol searches or enforcement, and assists in the case of emergency, McCormick stated.

The officers also provide instruction for the Ritzville Grade School’s safety patrol, and helped coordinate the mock crash demonstration earlier this year.

McCormick stated the entire department is trained for an active shooter situation, and while he hopes the scenario never occurs, he is confident in their ability to handle the situation.

He stated the department has a strong working relationship with the school district that they hope to continue.

McCormick also reminded those in attendance that the department has a phone line for non-emergency calls, and they are always welcome to call 659-1313 for assistance.

The Lind and Ritzville School Boards concluded the meeting with approving improvement plans for each school building in the cooperative district. They also voted to designate the Ritzville Adams County Journal as the official media, as well as approved the 2018 school board meeting dates.

The next school board meeting is Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Lind-Ritzville Middle School.