Salida School Districts Facilities Committee Meeting – Fall, 2009
Posted by School Board President Lezlie Burkley
We have an amazing committee! It is another example of community members that bring expertise, commitment to the community, and energy to make great things happen. At least 20 community members including local builders/contractors, an architect, an engineer, a commercial real estate consultant, a solar energy professional – as well as parents and retirees –gathered to share their ideas about Salida School District buildings.
The core of the school district’s facility plan has three main objectives:
- Health and safety
- 21st century learning environments
- Energy efficient/environmentally friendly/high performance buildings
The committee was joined by Linda Morrison (a representative of the Governor’s Energy Office) who outlined the state’s criteria for high performance buildings; Darryl Muir from the Colorado Department of Education Capitol Construction Division who outlined important steps in BEST funding; and Roy Blythe who is the architect for Salida School District.
Topics of discussion included:
- An overview of the current facility plan and the two-year community process that has led to the plan
- Explanation of recent revisions to the plan
- Perspectives from Linda Morrison and Darryl Muir (listed above)
- Committee discussion about what is liked and what is missing.
- Outline of suggestions and next steps.
There was a lot of positive energy in the room, which led to a lot of great questions and comments from committee members including:
“We NEED NEW buildings for the elementary school and high school.”
“New construction costs less than renovations and additions – because we build to today’s educational needs and we create energy-efficient spaces.”
“The committee would like to see a comparison of costs – renovation/addition versus new construction.”
“The district has done a good job of building a relationship with the BEST department (Capitol Construction Dept of CDE) – to try and best understand the program and the application process. We need to continue those efforts.”
The committee will review assessments, expectations gathered from staff and community, consider multiple options, gain an understanding of financial realities, and consider the politics involved in moving forward.
Committee members at the meeting included:
Padriac Gallagher (Longfellow Elementary School)
Kayla Maddox (Longfellow Elementary School)
Brett Pyle (Central Administration Office)
Bob Smith (Salida Middle School)
Walt Sneddon (Support Staff)
Community Members:
Bob Grether
John Diesslin
Mike Shomion
Greg Follet
Dave Beaulieu
Paige Judd
Peter Goff
Ron Ley
Tom Thomas
Fred Rasmussen
Jerry Mallett
There are six committees that are discussing important district issues. Members are listed below. If you are interested, we encourage you to participate. Please contact Superintendent John Rouse at 530-5200; when prompted push 1 for the District Office.
Facilities Planning (BEST State Matching Funding Program)
Padriac Gallagher (SIED LES) Darren Bachand Dara MacDonald
Kayla Maddox (LES) Keith Baker Duncan Moyes
Amanda McKee (LES) Dave Beaulieu Nathan Orrill
Brett Pyle (CAO) John Diesslin Lauren Policky
Bob Smith (SMS) Greg Follett Mike Shomion
Walt Sneddon (Support) Bob Grether Sara Wittington
Megan Granzella Micheal Yerman
Paige Judd
Ron Ley
Community Engagement
Deb Bass (SHS) Gay Hahn (Parent)
Christi Delaney (SHS) Denise Wentz (Parent)
Samantha Lane (SMS)
Lori Lee (SECC)
Schuyler McAllister (LES)
Kevin Thanoff (SHS)
Rob Tressler (SMS)
Maria Wilcox (SHS)
Albert Lionelle
Post-Secondary Options
Bob Smith (SMS) Hilliard Howard Chuck Rose
Chuck Stenzel (SHS) Merriel Johnson Mike Shomion
Kathy Tessitore (SHS) Roy Ley
Albert Lionelle Kym Mellsop
School Calendar
Kari Brantley (LES) Megan Granzella
Jacque Fisher (SMS) Linda Moyes
Rob Gilchrist (SHS) Nathan Orrill
Penny Kitson (LES) Danelle Peters
Michelle Ludwig (LES) Lauren Policky
Tami McDonald (LES) Susie Richardson
Chuck Stenzel (SHS) Wendy Shomion
Tanya Stewart (LES)
Staff Recognition and Public Relations
Stacy Follet (LES) Bill Donovan
Emily Lamont (SHS) Megan Granzella
Lori Lee (SECC) Brenda Leunsmann
Cheryl Stanbro (Support) Nathan Orrill
Kevin Thonoff (SHS) Lauren Policky
Standards-Based Learning
Donna Christensen (SMS) Tom Thomas
Jacque Fisher (SMS) Bonnie Yaeger
Janine Frazee (SHS)
Carol McIlvaine (SMS)
Cory Scheffel (SMS)
The next meetings of the facility planning committee are schediued for Monday, October 5th, and Tuesday, October 6th, both at 6:00 pm. Monday’s meeting is scheduled for the Salida High School Kesner Conference room, and the focus will be on discussing the options for a new high school. Roy Blyhte from Blythe Architects will be there to facilitate the discussions and to collect input. Tuesday’s meeting is scheduled for room 18 at Longfellow Elementary with a focus on options for a new elementary school.
Thanks John!
PS, though I posted the above article, thanks goes to school board president Lezlie Burkley for providing the information.
Thanks Bill, I was unable to attend that meeting so the info is helpful!
To whom it may concern..
I am looking for Brett Pyle. I am a former student of Johnston Middle School in Houston, TX where I believe he may have taught science. If this message could get the Brett Pyle that works in this district that would be great. I would like to know if this is the same person
Best,
Marc Harvey
Reply to Marc Harvey,
Yes I am the person who taught science at Johnston Middle School in Houston. Small world!
Brett
to tami mcdonald 4grade teacher/ please call larry brewer (303)940-9558 any time wes lost contact no s / we would like to know hoe things are going for your family /also email . REmenderFrostymac@mho.com. we would like to come down some time but don’t know the best of times thanks you can see how much i like to think of 1 frostymac evertime i use this thing /its the way of things today wait until the next communtation device comes out and try to forget how these things were to use/what will the next thing be like