Othello plans for new school

OTHELLO - The Othello School District approved plans for a new elementary school.

The facilities committee brought forward plans for what the new elementary school might look like.

The site of the new school is still being considered,

"What is happening in our school district is that we've been adding about 100 kids a year," says Othello School District Superintendent George Juarez. "When you're adding that many students, it doesn't take very long to outgrow your buildings. This puts us in a situation where we need to take into consideration where we need to be in five years." 

The Othello schools, elementary schools in particular, have grown beyond what the state projected, Juarez says. 

"None of the agencies dispute the fact that we need the school, because of our growing population," he said.

The school district has gained about 500 students since 2005.

"When you think about 500 students, that's basically a school," Juarez says. "Building a high school is a much more expensive venture than building an elementary. The board right now says an elementary is most needed."

Different health and safety officials expressed concern when the school district looked into buying property near an industrial site. Juarez says the school will not purchase the property, which is close to Multistar Industries. Multistar sells anhydrous ammonia, a chemical used in refrigeration. 

There were three proposed building plans. The board approved plan number two during its Monday meeting. The plan would allow for building additions as well as the ability to divide grades and potential playground areas.

"No matter what, this plan could fit on just about any piece of property," says Rob Simmons, Othello school board member and head of the facilities committee.

Twenty-five community members attended the facilities planning meeting to discuss grade configuration, design, emergency planning and other aspects of the new school.

The new school will house kindergarten through fifth-grade students and be around 50,000 square feet in size.

Juarez says the school will be arranged into four sections with four teachers at each grade level and 24 classrooms.

Bond attorney Jim McNeill recommended the school board have a plan for the new school in place by May to ensure funding would be available.

"We're trying to time it and get the paperwork in to see if we can push this through sooner rather than later," Juarez said. "That'll give agencies time to review the plans, but we're on a tight schedule."

Juarez says he doesn't know if the new school will be done this year or next, but the increase in students has led to other school buildings getting a makeover. 

"Hopefully all of our schools will be remodeled and brought up to date by the end of the next school year," Juarez says. "One of the things we did with the remodel of the high school was add another auxiliary gym and additional rooms."

Remodeling on Scootney Springs and Hiawatha elementary schools should be done by the middle of next year, says Juarez.

"We have grown dramatically and we anticipate continuing to grow," says Juarez. 

The next facilities committee meeting is set for Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. in the district boardroom at 1025 South First Ave. 

For more information, call 509-488-2659.