Planning for the eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
E ducators are planners . They plan for a unit of study , for a semester of projects , and year-long progress for students at every age . School administrators and Board members are cut from that same cloth , but often their planning involves finances and facilities .
The focus of the District at every level is on the success of our students – providing the best educational opportunities for our children . Doing this effectively also includes ensuring that all school facilities support the educational programming for diverse learners across all grade levels .
Two years ago , the Board undertook the development of a long range Capital Projects plan . These facilities improvements included items large and small – roofing , heating / air conditioning updates , paving needs , furniture replacements , etc . Every item on the lengthy list was considered in light of its educational impact , safety implications , and long-term return on investment .
Through this process , issues with the current High School facility surfaced . Specifically , the Board was interested in addressing the issue of whether or not the current High School was meeting the academic programming needs of our students . Given that the Capital Projects plan also identified several significant capital improvements for the High School , the Board contracted with Hayes Design Group to conduct a thorough Feasibility Study of our High School – a look at not only our building systems and structure , but also at the educational programming needs of our students now and in the future .
“ The staff from Hayes Design worked closely with our teachers and students here at the High School ,” said Principal Lori Pavlik . “ Their team looked at every space and took the time to hear what our issues and needs were .”
82 Peters Township
Part of that process also involved engaging with parent and community stakeholders who use the current High School facility . Meetings were held with PTA parents , local business owners , coaches , and booster groups to gather input on how the building was , or was not , meeting their needs .
Throughout the process , Hayes Design met with the School Board and Administration regarding their findings . Public updates on the project were provided through the Board ’ s Buildings and Grounds Committee Meetings .
The most significant findings of the feasibility study were that the building was sound , but in need of updates to the core building systems and that the current building configuration was not fully conducive to our high school educational programming needs . To address the core building systems and create the desired programming , a significant renovation would be required . Costs projections for the comprehensive renovation were approximately $ 77 million .
Given that the Board and Township had recently acquired the former Rolling Hills Country Club property , the opportunity to consider constructing a new High School facility at that location . In consideration of the cost estimate for the renovation , Hayes Design was tasked with estimating the cost of building a new facility using the same programming plans that were modeled in the renovation . Being ever mindful of the community impact of their financial decisions , the Board wanted an “ apples to apples ” comparison as to the cost of a renovation versus the cost of a new building .
Not only did the Board have to consider the financial impact of a High School project , the Board had to ensure that the District had adequate resources to address the capital and educational
The School Board and Administration review building options and financial plans during a Saturday work session in March .