The Plainview Board of Education held its first “stakeholder” meeting on Monday, April 28 to around 100 community members, school staff and board members to introduce the discussion and architectural considerations for what has been dubbed a “once in 50-year project” for Plainview Public Schools, should taxpayers approve.
Over the last number of months the Board of Education has engaged Carlson West Povondra Architects of Omaha to initiate a conversation about the current entire facility of Plainview Public Schools – elementary and high school – and to engage staff for a list of “needs and wants” to help formulate a plan that could eventually turn into a bond election for a largescale renovation or construction project.
The bulk of the project will be covered in next week’s News, but the school has already sent out the architect’s packet to the community, and has a four-question survey in digital and paper form – asking:
1. Do you see a need for a significant facility investment
2. Do you support the board moving forward to explore facility needs, solutions and tax impact
3. Based on the presentation, prioritize the following: Academics, Career Pathways, Elementary, Performing Arts, Athletics
4. Would you support the closing of the street (between the schools, permanently) to connect the schools into one building to “enhance safety and efficiency.”
A “punchlist” of topics presented at the meeting for this week’s News includes the three main “suggested” project directions – with it being made very clear that no direction has been chosen and no decisions other than to engage the architect and bond firm have been made.
1. The architect said that any, all or none or a hybrid of any of these options may become the “final” choice if the taxpayers and Board determine it necessary, and launch a bond campaign to cover the cost that is successfully passed by voters.
2. Proceeding at “optimal” speed, the bond consideration could be brought before voters as early as November of this year, but even if everything goes on timeline, it could be 2028 before the project is completed.
3. Option 1A: $36.3-$39.3 million estimated – build across and close Woodland Ave., tear down 1920 building, 72,650 square feet new construction; 24,280 square feet renovation; 96,930 square feet total work – 8 classrooms, 2 wrestling rooms, new art, welding, shop, centralized administration, second gym, addition of daycare, pre-k, walking track, fitness center, new concessions and locker rooms and more.
4. Option 1B: $37-$40 million, build across and close Woodland Ave., tear down 1920 building, 2,000 square foot additional new construction, elevating fitness center, mainly otherwise a similar plan to 1A.
5. Option 2: $7.9-$8.4 million, remove 1920 building, 18,867 square feet of new addition, replace with two wrestling rooms, and adding eight classrooms on the southwest and west side of the 1977 addition.
The Board of Education said in the minutes of the evening that the school would be creating a “Strategic committee” of 2-3 dozen stakeholders to be invited to help with plan options in the coming months.
The initial plan by CWP indicates a proposed timeline with community meetings through the summer with a possible bond vote in November, bidding in May of 2026, breaking ground that summer and perhaps competition in 2028.
A more complete version of the options, blue prints and tax implications for the three suggested options will follow in next week’s News.