The Plainview Board of Education held its initial “stakeholder” meeting last Monday, April 28 to begin discussion and planning for what could result in a bond election yet this year for a largescale renovation or new construction project at Plainview Public Schools.
The Board was very clear that there have been no final decisions made, and, with respect to the facilities audit completed by Carlson West Povondra, suggested a number of plans.
All plans recommend the complete removal of the old 1920, now junior high, three story building in the southeast part of campus.
Beyond that – the replacement of those eight classrooms, and all the options beyond, including closing Woodland Ave. and building a new gym and portion of the school over the street – are still “up for discussion.”
The architect firm spent time with the staff, attempting to gauge what they would like or need for the education process – and answers varied from everything from private teacher restrooms to inadequate safety shelters, to “brass tacks” items of more space needed for special education and classroom activities.
The architect made an appeal that while the student population of the school may have reduced from what it was when those buildings were built and primarily used, the type of education has changed so much that more space is necessary for opportunities in education.
Additionally, the architects reviewed a number of mechanical and electrical, construction and facility issues that need to be addressed for safety (fire, etc.), necessary upgrades to remain accessibility in compliance, and the idea that once a construction project has been started, other items may be required to be repaired as well.
The architect indicated that the last major project for construction was in the 1990s with the addition to the elementary, and the last major repair was in 2023 after the large scale storm ripped off the elementary roof and damaged the high school.
With the 30-plus years since last major construction, and the newest repairs already beginning to degrade and leak, the architect recommended a long list of possible repairs, renovations and replacements.
Options were announced last week, and until a new plan is announced by the “stakeholder committee” – anyone is welcome to obtain a copy of the architectural report from the Plainview News for free, or digitally from the school, or can view a copy at the school as well.
As reported last week:
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.
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.
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.