SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2017
Upgrades
from 1A
Wilson’s presentation was
created with the understand-
ing that the district wanted to
have options when it came to
deciding what level of
upgrades and improvements
would be required to meet
current seismic safety stan-
dards, future technology
requirements and energy sav-
ing opportunities.
“In all of my years with the
district, we have never done a
comprehensive review of all
facilities at this level of detail
before. Now we know where
our facilities stand in all
aspects — mechanical, elec-
trical, plumbing, structural
and grounds,” Grzeskowiak
said.
The board also asked Pivot
to come up with two overarch-
ing plans; one of which would
include a complete replace-
ment of the most out-of-date
structure, the high school,
with a new building and one
that would incrementally
upgrade the high school over a
period of years.
The board also requested
different levels of repair be
considered for the elementary
and middle school, as there
are structural upgrades that
need to be undertaken sooner
and some that can be post-
poned or incorporated into
other stages of the overall
project.
“The steering committee
tried to take a long-term
approach and examine all pos-
sible projects that had the
potential for upgrade or
replacement in the near
future,” said Grzeskowiak.
“Some of the projects are
deferred maintenance for
projects beyond regular budg-
ets, while others are compre-
hensive overhauls that will
protect the current public
investment to extend the lifes-
pan of the elementary and
middle schools.”
The numbers cited in the
Pivot report are somewhat
daunting at first glance, but
Grzeskowiak believes that
significant tax payer money
can be saved if the needed
repairs can be done sooner
rather than later.
“There are several ways to
increase operational energy
efficiency to save money and
put that back into the class-
room for years to come. The
biggest savings will come in
replacing the HVAC system as
part of the high school plan,”
he said.
Another major concern for
Grzeskowiak is the continual-
ly increasing costs associated
with large-scale construction
projects. Often these increases
can amount to a five percent
increase per year, which can
significantly increase the
costs associated with con-
struction.
The steering committee will
also be working on prioritiz-
ing projects. There are 14
potential projects to consider
other than the high school. If
all of these projects are taken
on now, with the inflation of
commercial construction over
the years, the total cost would
be high.
“But part of the balance we
are striving for is providing
the public something they can
be proud of, that serves the
students in the education well
and will be a resource in the
community for years to
come,” Grzeskowiak said.
Another important factor
presented by Wilson is the dif-
ference between construction
costs and project costs.
Generally,
construction
costs are between 60 to 70
percent of the total cost of a
project, with the remaining
percent allocated to other
parts of the process such as
permitting, site testing and
pre-construction investiga-
tions.
This is important when con-
sidering what costs can be
contained and which expenses
will be incurred regardless of
the timing of the renovation
Another important consid-
eration that Wilson highlight-
ed was cost figures based on
square foot estimates.
The projected project costs
were calculated on a per-
square-foot basis.
Estimated costs for school
improvements for the elemen-
tary school were $414 per
square foot, $443 per square
foot for the middle school
upgrades and $471 per square
foot for the high school.
The project steering com-
mittee, appointed by the board
earlier in the year, will be sift-
ing through the 89-page pack-
et presented by Pivot in order
to determine what level of
funding the board will be ask-
ing the public to support.
According to the report, the
price tag associated with the
least number of upgrades at
all three schools would be
approximately $65 million
dollars.
This number would not
cover the cost of many items
the involved stakeholders felt
are needed. While most of
those are not critical at this
time, all will eventually need
to be done.
Pivot’s presentation also
includes upgrades at the high
school that could be undertak-
en incrementally, over an
extended period of time, as
opposed to a complete
replacement building, con-
structed all at once.
The highest projections,
incorporating all suggested
improvements and upgrades,
is estimated at nearly $132
million dollars.
Grzeskowiak is aware of
the concern this number will
engender in taxpayers and is
7 A
looking for public input while
finalizing the path the board
will recommend to the com-
munity.
“Curt and I will be doing
some work over the holidays
and then come back to the
steering committee in January,
before going back to the
Board. Much of what we are
doing in the design concept is
in regards to safety, which
realistically can’t be signifi-
cantly changed by remodeling
the
current
building,”
Grzeskowiak said, adding,
“To help inform the
process, we will be doing
some survey work in the com-
munity in January. We have
already had some invaluable
input from community mem-
bers and we are looking to
reaching out further to clarify
project priorities.”
SSD staff were careful to
point out that while a majority
of the funding required to
accomplish the district’s stat-
ed goals would come from a
bond request, there would also
be opportunities for matching
grants from federal and state
governmental agencies and
other sources of funding.
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Fresh Harvest Café
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Santa Claus at the Elks Lodge
1 p.m.
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Florence Elks Lodge
Heceta Lightstation’s 22nd Annual
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Heceta Head Lighthouse State Scenic
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“Christmas Memory, Radio Re-Run”
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High Street Band plays
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Blue Bills Sports Bar & Tap Room
Three Rivers Casino Resort
Dec. 17
Siuslaw Bowling Garage Sale
Fundraiser
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Open to public
Holiday Bowl
4 to 7 p.m.
Open to public
$5 day-use fee required for parking
Heceta Head Lighthouse
KXCR Public Meeting
6 p.m.
Open to public
Siuslaw Public Library
541 997-5252
Dec. 18
Eugene Ballet presents “The
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7 p.m.
Tickets required
Florence Events Center
Oregon Brass Christmas Concert
7 p.m.
Open to the public
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Florence Events Center
Dec. 20
Dec. 19
Vocal Student Season Showcase
7 p.m.
Open to public
Class Act Theatre
Florence Ukulele Club “The
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1:30 p.m. — beginners
3 p.m. — song circle for all levels
Loaner ukuleles available
Siuslaw Public Library
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Prostate Cancer Support Group with
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Noon to 1 p.m.
Open to public
Ichiban Restaurant
541-999-4239
“Christmas Memory, Radio Re-Run”
Tickets required
2 p.m.
Class Act Theatre
Cancelled: Siuslaw Diabetes/
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Next meeting scheduled for Jan. 16, 2
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Dec. 21
Peace Harbor Volunteers Luncheon
11:30 a.m.
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541-361-9080
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Solstice Bonfire
4 p.m.
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“It’s a Wonderful Life” Fundraiser
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