New school facilities planning moving forward

A schools facilities meeting was held  November 11, and community members were able to preview and comment on the current round of design plans for Longfellow Elementary School and the Salida High School in prepartion for the BEST grant application.  This is the fourth meeting of the Facilities Planning (BEST); the first meeting occurred on Sept 22nd. Participates in the round table discussions help in the planning and development process of the BEST application for state matching funds.

Roy Blythe of Blythe Group and Co., a full-service design, architecture and project management firm based in Grand Junction, led the group in discuss and review of current design plans.  Longfellow Elementary would be constructed behind the current school and would not interfere with daily classroom activities.  The new Salida High School would be constructed on the south side of the current campus where the track and practice field are located.  Once the new high schools is constructed the old building would be demolished and the track relocated to that area of the campus.

Both schools must meet LEED certification in order to get BEST funds.  LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a green building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

BEST provides an annual amount of funding, in the form of competitive grants to school districts, charter schools, institiute chapter schools, boards of cooperative educational services and the Colorado school for the deaf and the blind.  BEST funds can be used for the construction of new schools as well as general construction and renovation of existing school facility systems and structures.

Salida School district will file for an application in early 2010, applications will be reviewed in June. The Capital Construction Assistance Board will meet and make recommendations to the State Board on June 29th and 30th.  The State Board would then meet in July and projects would be awarded in August.  If Salida were awarded a grant then the Salida School Board would have to ask voters to pass a bond issue in order to receive the BEST funds.

BEST funds afford an incredible opportunity for our district to build state of the art school facilities. If  the Salida School District is awarded the money than it becomes critically important that the public is aware of the importance of passing the bond issue.  Without an approved bond the BEST grant money is not awarded.

The Citizen is happy to provide a forum for comments and discussion. Please respect and abide by the house rules: Keep it clean, keep it civil, keep it truthful, stay on topic, be responsible, share your knowledge, and please suggest removal of comments that violate these standards. Real names are appreciated, but not required.

Leave a Reply

calendar
backcountry web cams snow report interactive map
forums

Announcements

  • Music and Dance this week

    Join us for the Creative Mixer and BV Contra Dance.

  • Central Colorado Humanists present annual Darwin Day Celebration

    February 12, 2012 from 2-4 PM at the Salida Community Center, corner of F and Third Streets in Salida. Scott Adams, Ellen Bauder, PhD and Dr Michael Forman will discuss evolution, plant ecology and Mr Darwin. Eat your cake and enjoy Darwin too.

  • Rocketman Jimmy Descant Instant Art Event

    One piece of sculpture built before your eyes, music, painting, and food. Steamplant theatre, Salida Colorado.  February 9, 2012.  Doors open at 6, event from 7-9pm. Don’t Miss It.

  • AVHR Open Skate and Bake Sale

    Chaffee County’s only roller derby league, The Ark Valley High Rollers, will be hosting their 2nd annual Valentine’s Day fundraiser to support and fund future bouts. It is an open skate and bake sale fundraiser at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. The fun kicks off at 1:00 PM at The Fairgrounds.

  • CMC offers Introduction to Natural History

    Maggie Gaddis sent us a note this morning. Registration for her 3 credit CMC course Introduction to Natural History closes tomorrow. What a great way to increase your knowledge of your Rocky Mountain home.

Today Wednesday Thursday
It is forcast to be Partly Cloudy at 11:00 PM MST on February 07, 2012
Partly Cloudy
32°/14°
It is forcast to be Partly Cloudy at 11:00 PM MST on February 08, 2012
Partly Cloudy
41°/18°
It is forcast to be Chance of Snow at 11:00 PM MST on February 09, 2012
Chance of Snow
43°/22°
Weather Underground

About

outside

Slideshows

Morning

Good morning, Salida!