Wheatlands Boundaries Unchanged in School Board Vote

Parents at The Wheatlands Elementary School can breathe a bit easier today as the School Board voted unanimously Monday night to maintain current boundaries. 

The vote means students from the Four Pointes and Amber Fields North subdivisions will remain at the Wheatlands until boundaries are likely redrawn again in three years.

Leaving the boundaries as is was the recommendation of the boundary committee, and superintendent Dan O'Donnell again assured the board that the administration will be able to handle any overcrowding issues that may arise at the Wheatlands in the coming years.

"With some tweaking internally we can leave it as is at this point in time without having to move whole neighborhoods, and that's the basis of our recommendation," O'Donnell said. 

Though the vote was unanimous, board member Brent Lightfoot restated his position that the district should be looking to implement a more permanent solution.

Another option proposed to free up space in the coming years if necessary could be to move special education students from The Wheatlands to another school with available space. Lightfoot said it was his understanding from the administration that it is not ideal to move special education students from school to school, as those students need continuity. 

O'Donnell said he had discussed that issue with Director of Student Services Christine Nelson, who told him her preference would be that the special education students remain where they are. However, if they needed to be moved, next year would ideal because there is space available at Wolf's Crossing Elementary School that would allow for the program stay in one place for several years. 

Construction Bids Come in Under Budget

Construction bids for the additions to and high schools have come in at about $5.1 million less than cost estimates from last year, District 308 board members also heard Monday night.

The total bid estimate for OEHS came in at $21.9 million and the total bid for OHS at $16.6 million. Estimates from last year were $24 million for OEHS and nearly $19.6 million for OHS.

The board voted 6-1 to accept the bids with Lightfoot voting no. He said the district could save the taxpayers money by removing the additional gym space alternate from OEHS, which will cost about $427,000.

Mike Barr, the district's construction supervisor, said the savings over original estimates was in part due to the extremely competitive nature of the construction industry during this down economy. Other savings were seen in efficiencies in designs drawn up by project architect Kluber Inc., who is overseeing both additions.