SVUSD to Enter Design Phase of Rebuilding SVMS with New Architect

By Penny Weaver, Superintendent, Scotts Valley Unified School District

Proposals for architect services submitted in response to the District’s RFP (Request for Proposals) to design the new Scotts Valley Middle School (SVMS) were received and reviewed. Cody, Anderson, Wasney Architects (CAW), a firm in Palo Alto, was recommended by the District’s architect selection committee and approved by the Board on November 18 at its regular meeting. The finalized agreement for architect services with CAW will be submitted to the Board of Trustees for final approval.

Next we will be convening an education specifications committee and a larger design committee. An invitation to apply to participate in the design of the school will be announced during the month of December. More information will be posted on the SVMS and District websites as well as the District’s new community Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Scotts-Valley-Unified-School-District/383818915116717 and “like” the page to continue to receive updates when posted.

Rebuilding SVMS includes where to house the 600+ students and staff during the construction phase. A committee of parents and staff representing the current 4th – 7th graders who will be affected was convened. Over 50 parents volunteered and a drawing was held to appoint representatives from Vine Hill and Brook Knoll Elementary Schools and SVMS. Several SVMS staff members also serve on the committee, which is facilitated by Principal Mary Lonhart, Facilities Director Mike Smith and Superintendent Penny Weaver. The group has held three work sessions to study alternative housing.

Three types of housing are being considered:

1. “Phasing” — students remain on the current campus and are housed in portable buildings as new buildings are constructed. When a phase is completed and certified, groups of students and staff occupy the new classrooms. Construction continues and as each classroom building is completed, groups of students and staff move in.
2. Rental of existing school facilities outside the boundaries of SVUSD ­— Two school campuses have been visited: Natural Bridges Elementary campus in Santa Cruz – the current location of Pacific Collegiate School; and Redwood Elementary School located in Boulder Creek and part of the San Lorenzo Unified School District. Both campuses would require additional portable classrooms to house all of the SVMS students. Both campuses would require busing and travel time subject to the conditions of the roads and traffic.
3. Creating a school of portables within the SVUSD boundaries — a list of local properties were studied capable of housing the portable buildings required as well as parking and safe ingress/egress from the temporary school. One property identified as potentially feasible is Shugart Park owned by the City of Scotts Valley off of Glenwood Drive.

Considerations with temporary housing include projected costs, preserving educational program, and the needs and wants of the school community. The committee has narrowed the possible housing scenarios to: 1) Creating a school of portables and 2) The rental of Redwood Elementary School. The Board of Trustees will hear this report at its regular meeting on December 9.

The report will include projected costs associated with each scenario studied by the committee. The Board will also hear information about “Phasing” from the CAW architect firm which has a great deal of experience with housing students in this manner at a future Board meeting.

Board Members will consider the information from the Alternative Housing Committee and architect prior to directing staff to enter into negotiations and/or publish bid specifications for buildings and related services. This is expected to be an agenda item in January 2015.

Progress Reports and Parent-Teacher Conferences Up Next

Elementary school parent-teacher conferences will begin the second week of December. High school students will be taking finals the week of December 15 and the first semester concludes on December 19, 2014.

The new tutorial program initiated at SVHS this year is showing promising results with better course grades posting to date and fewer students at risk of failing one or more courses. Principal Valerie Bariteau and Assistant Principal Mike Hanson will be providing more information to the Board Members about the tutorial program and the progress on the related Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals. High quality instruction by talented and dedicated instructional staff, with tremendous parent support and the hard work by our students are the foundation of our success. We remain “Together for Excellence.”

Reminders

All schools and the District office will be closed December 22, 2014 – January 2, 2015 for Winter Break. Students will resume classes and facilities will reopen Monday, January 5, 2015. Although some employees will be working during Winter Break, school offices and the District office will be closed to the public.

On behalf of our Board of Trustees and the Leadership Team, I want to take this opportunity to extend to everyone our best wishes for a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!