Benny Westcott
School District Business Manager Kevin Strong announced at the Monday, April 10, school board meeting that a major Oak Heights Elementary School upgrade is planned next summer.
The improvements will come courtesy of a $2.5 million seismic retrofit and improvement grant, which Strong had pursued since 2015, from Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency.
The money will be used to make Oak Heights safer in case of an earthquake.
The district also plans to use long-term maintenance and other grant funds to make additional facility improvements. By doing so, the district can benefit from economies of scale during construction and reduce the overall cost as compared to completing projects independently.
In addition to the seismic improvements, the district plans to repurpose some existing space to allow for a cafeteria/learning commons area separate from the gym, install a more secure front entrance with improved surveillance so the main office can observe anyone approaching the school, refurbish some classrooms and update the library.
This is the the district’s fifth seismic grant from Business Oregon. Previous grants have been used to upgrade the Sweet Home High School auditorium, as well as Foster, Hawthorne and Holley elementary schools. Seismic improvements were also made at Sweet Home Junior High School as part of a 2017 voter-approved bond that received a state matching grant.
According to Superintendent Terry Martin, the seismic improvements and grants have made a significant impact.
“We realize that Sweet Home has a very modest tax base,” he said. “It makes good financial sense for us to pursue grants and utilize district savings to extend the useful lives of our school buildings. We are beyond excited to have this opportunity to improve the learning environment at Oak Heights while making the building safer for students and staff.”
The district is currently working with Eugene firm GLAS Architects, LLC, on design developments for the Oak Heights project, followed by requests for proposals for engineering services and a contractor.
Also at the meeting:
— Martin reported that the total district enrollment at the end of March was 2,295, down from the previous month’s 2,316. Holley won the district’s award for best attendance that month.
— Strong reported that district year-to-date spending is just over $1.1 million above the same time period last year. He said the primary reason for the increase is higher labor expenses.
— Strong announced an Aquatic Committee Meeting at 5 p.m. Monday, June 12, in the board room at the Sweet Home School District office, 1920 Long St. Community input is sought on whether voters should be asked to renew the five-year local option levy supporting the Sweet Home Community Pool, which ends after the upcoming fiscal year, or consider other options.
— The board accepted the resignations of Blake Manley, forestry and natural resources teacher at Sweet Home High School, effective June 30, 2023; Thad Holub, director of student services, effective June 30, 2023; Cheryl Thireault, kindergarten teacher at Holley Elementary, effective June 16, 2023; Michelle Clarno, science teacher at Sweet Home Junior High School, effective June 17, 2023; Alex Bailey, first-grade teacher at Oak Heights Elementary, effective June 16, 2023; Leslie Curran, first-grade teacher at Foster Elementary, effective June 16, 2023; and Wendy Ward, temporary math teacher at Sweet Home Junior High, effective March 17, 2023.
— Approved the hires of Marissa Russell and Brittany Shamek, elementary and primary teacher at Foster Elementary, for the 2023-24 school year.
— Accepted a $1,000 donation to the Sweet Home High School FFA program from Kimberly Jacobson, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.