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Show Board hires architect to study options for proposed elementary school With one board member voicing her opposition, the Park City Board of Education voted to hire the architectural firm of Edwards and Daniels to study options for a new elementary school. Board member Nancy McComb voted against the motion. "I don't think we have studied all of the options such as year-round schools or making fuller use of our existing facilities," McComb said. "I think hiring an architect at this point suggests a mindset that we are going to build another school. I would like to see us try a more creative solution." McComb suggested the district pursue a state-financed planning grant to study the district's needs. The other four board members, however, decided to hire one of the two architects recommended by the 11 -member Elementary School Steering Committee. "If we are going to have these committees I think we should listen to their recommendations," said board member Ralph Hale. The steering committee, which was appointed by the board earlier this month, includes elementary school principal Linda Singer, school district director of maintenance mainten-ance and operations Mark Simmons, two elementary school teachers, one middle school teacher, and six parents. The committee set on Monday and interviewed four potential architects. "We are constantly caught react- -ing instead of acting on our needs for future facilities," said board President Presi-dent Gary Avise. "When we built the middle school there was more discussion about whether it would be done on time than whether it would be a well-built school. We don't want to be in that position again." "We should at least begin the process," said board member Ralph Hale. But McComb said the board was acting hastily. "We have gone to the community with the voted leeway now we are talking about another bond. I think we must research whether was are making the best use of our schools and whether we should be assuming continued growth. I would urge us to look at all the alternatives, not just put money into a new school. We need to look at the best interest of the community in the long run," she said. The discussion ended with a motion from Avise to hire the firm of Edwards and Daniels (which is currently at work on the high school math science wing) to study the options for a new school. However, this doesn't mean the board is eliminating any other options, Avise said. The motion was seconded by Ralph Hale and carried with a four to one vote. |
