School officials seek options for new elementary
by Brent Shrum, Kootenai Valley Record
February 5, 2010
Libby school officials are expected to make a decision next week on hiring a consulting firm to guide the district in planning for the replacement or renovation of Asa Wood Elementary.
The school board recently conducted interviews with five firms that responded to a request for proposals for planning services. The board is scheduled to consider choosing one of the five firms during a meeting next Monday, said district superintendent Kirby Maki.
The board interviewed representatives of Jackola Architects & Engineers, Architects by Design and CTA Architects Engineers of Kalispell, JGA Architects Engineers Planners of Billings, and G.D. Longwell Architects of Hayden Lake, Idaho.
Maki noted a "wide variance" in cost estimates from the five firms, ranging from $30,000 to $167,500. The board gave each firm a week following the interview to revise its proposal.
"If they misunderstood something, they could add it on, or if they had something in there that we really didn’t want, then they could subtract," Maki said.
The firm that is selected will be tasked with providing specifications for the construction of a new elementary school, renovation of Asa Wood, and/or consolidation of elementary classes at the middle school or other existing buildings in the district.
"A major part of the process will be getting public input on the plan," Maki said.
Funding for the study will come from a federal appropriation of around $380,000 awarded last year for planning. The district had requested $12 million to fund construction of a new school. The $12 million request has been submitted again this year, Maki said, and the district should know soon how much, if anything, it will get.
Asa Wood was built in 1953 as a junior high school. Two classroom wings were added on in 1956 and 1960. Concerns include the presence of vermiculite insulation; outdated heating and ventilation, electrical, fire suppression and plumbing systems; the need for secure entrances and exits; operational and maintenance costs; restroom facilities; and problems with the roof. Educational needs include more and larger classrooms with wider hallways; a library/media center; a kitchen and cafeteria; a multipurpose room; and the ability to support current technology.
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Editor’s Note: See the February 2, 2010 edition of the Kootenai Valley Record for the printed version of this story. The Kootenai Valley Record publishes once a week, on Tuesdays, in Libby, Montana. They are a locally owned community newspaper, located at 403 Mineral Avenue in Libby. For in-county and out-of-county subscription information, call 406-293-2424, or e-mail kvrecord@gmail.com.
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