High School Additions Talks Move Forward

As board members continue to look at the costs for the proposed additions to the two existing high schools, some fear value-engineering the project too much could be detrimental to student education.

Last month, board members charged architects to cost-engineer the additions with a $25 million price tag at 85, 88, 90 and 92 percent capacity utilization rates for a maximum capacity of 3,200 students and streamline the projects even more.

Architects told board members additions at the $25 million price tag would mean less capacity than each school would need, no pool at Oswego High School, and a reduction in some amenities like synthetic turf fields. Less capacity could also mean students will have to take classes in spaces for which they weren't intended.

For OHS, the projected costs at 85, 88, 90 and 92 percent capacity utilization rates are $28.7 million, $26.8 million, $25.9 million, and $24.5 million, respectively.

For OEHS, the projected costs at 85, 88, 90 and 92 percent capacity utilization rates are $31.6 million, $30.4 million, $29.8 million, and $29.6 million, respectively.

Board member Mike Scaramuzzi said he is in favor of the 88 percent capacity utilization rate.

“I see the biggest bang for our buck going from 85 to 88,” he said. “When you go from 88 to 90, the benefits really diminish.”

At OEHS, the 85 percent capacity utilization rate would mean 25 additional classrooms, compared to 22 with the 88 percent capacity utilization rate. At 90 percent, the number of classrooms drops to 20.

At OHS, the 85 percent capacity utilization rate would mean 28 additional classrooms compared to 24 with the 88 percent capacity utilization rate and 22 at 90 percent.

“I’d rather we stay at 85 percent,” board member Lynn Cullick said Monday night in regards to the utilization rate. “I’m not comfortable going above 88.”

Board member Brent Lightfoot said the district cannot currently afford the 85 percent utilization rate.

“But I don’t think we really want to be talking about building something at 90-plus,” he said.

Superintendent Dan O’Donnell urged board members to keep the capacity rate near 85 percent.

“Ninety has real academic challenges for us too,” he said.

A decision needs to be made by the first board meeting in September.

If bonds are to be sold for the construction, the district will need to begin the process in September. The district still has the authority to sell about $246 million more in bonds for construction, but that runs out Nov. 6.