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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 21, 2019)
8A | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2019 | SIUSLAW NEWS DISTRICT from page 1A “We want to see Florence grow and become everything it could possibly be, and our job is to help educate the children so they can help it be everything it could possi- bly be,” he said. “But the fact of the matter is, a lot more kids means a lot more infra- structure is going to be put under a lot more stress. And our infrastructure is very old, and it’s going to require funds to deal with that. The only option that the school board has any control over is raising that tax.” When looking at issues with the school facilities, Rosinbaum pointed to issues with how the school is heat- ed — a boiler from the 1950s. “You go into the school, you go upstairs, and the kids are all sweating,” he said. “You go downstairs, they’re freezing to death. It’s not conducive to learning, and it requires money to maintain the systems that are there.” School District Superin- tendent Andy Grzeskowiak went into more detail. “When you look at the lifespan of mechanical sys- tems, we’ve got systems that simply need to be replaced,” he said. “They were obso- lete technology, but of good quality, when they were put in 50 years ago. Now they’re at the end of their service.” The boiler system is a money suck, costing the district $14,000 in electrical costs in November alone. “We had $14,000 in costs for the rest of the district over the last two months. And that’s creeping up,” Grz- eskowiak said. And the boiler still uses pneumatic controls, which “can’t really be fixed, they have to be replaced,” added Grzeskowiak. School maintenance workers have to cut out the old controllers and replace them with digital controllers. But to do that, they have to enter the walls, which are filled with asbestos. “So if you go into the walls, they’re going to say, ‘Take out the asbestos.’ So you have to do asbestos abatement on top of the wiring. When you have the wall open, if you’re not fixing any of the plumb- ing, it’s foolish,” Grzeskowiak said. One small project to fix the boiler system turns into dozens of projects that in- clude reworking the plumb- ing, electrical wiring, and asbestos abatement. Plus, electrical wiring has to be done with special care, because the school does not have any a sprinkler system for fire emergencies. “It is 135,000 square feet of unsprinkled space,” Grzesko- wiak said. “It was originally built when it was not man- dated to have one.” The excise tax would not alleviate this issue, as it could not cover the $4-5 million price tag that would be need- ed to install one. But lack of sprinklers creates another is- the City of Florence complet- last couple of years, hiring issues with behavior. supposed to be completed in sue for the school — If they ed a Housing Needs Analysis staff and helping them find “If you have a bigger group 2019, but it wasn’t. The Hab- do any major renovations, that showed Florence has a housing. You talk about of kids, it’s harder to man- itat homes could be coming the grandfather clause on pent-up housing demand of workforce housing — if your age behaviors,” Grzeskowi- as soon as next year, but the the sprinklers go away, and more than 500 units. Since teachers can’t find a house, ak said. “It’s not that we had numbers are not known. the district would have to then, the city staff, along with people in other industries, more kids with more behav- “We tend to estimate that float the bill for the addi- developers and city volun- those who work for the city iors. If you have a kid that’s number fairly conservative- tion, which it having an issue ly,” Grzeskowiak said. “You currently can’t with 20 kids in go with the lowest enroll- “Right now, the school is doing well. We’re educating children, a class, it’s easier ment across the year up to afford. “There was a the staff and administration is getting our graduation rates up. to give them in- this point in time. If you function of the We’re doing a lot of really great things, and we’re managing the dividual atten- overestimate the budget on doors, and the public’s money really well. However, if you start building a bunch tion and deal that, you have to make an thresholds had of new houses, that’s a bunch of new families that are coming in. with that, than almost overcorrection, and to be changed it is in a class people you hired never work all around that And we’re not going to be able to support them.” with 27 or 28.” a day and they end up get- — Guy Rosinbaum, Siuslaw School District Board President area. We get The district ting fired. Realistically, if our into this thing was able to hire estimate is off by as little as where people an additional 15 kids, that costs us a staff talk about preparing for an teers have put in thousands or a service industry, they’re kindergarten teacher and member. It’s like playing earthquake, I’m just talking of hours preparing proposals not going to find a house ei- split up the classes, alleviat- three-dimensional chess.” about preparing for build- for projects throughout the ther.” ing much of the problem. But All this is not to say that ing code,” the superinten- city. Though the city has not But an increase of housing having a shortage of teachers the school is overcrowded dent said. “You get to a point released an official inventory can put stress on a facilities isn’t the only issue that the and underperforming. where you come in and the of housing projects, the Siu- that are already close to ca- district has to be aware of “Right now, the school is building inspector will say, slaw News looked at all the pacity. when looking at an influx of doing well,” Rosinbaum said. ‘If you’re making change A, housing projects brought be- “It always seems to be that students — it could have too “We’re educating children, it’s going to trigger B,C, D fore the Planning Commis- our biggest class of kids, ev- many teachers if the housing the staff and administration and E.” sion the past year and a half. ery time we have another boom doesn’t come to frui- is getting our graduation So the district is constant- The results show that the kid that moves into the dis- tion. rates up. We’re doing a lot ly making repairs piecemeal, city’s work has them well un- trict, it’s ‘Oh gosh, another “This is about the time of of really great things, and a delicate balance of fixing der way to reaching the goal seventh-grader,’” Grzeskowi- year that we start doing our we’re managing the public’s immediate concerns without of 500 homes by 2025. ak said. “You get eight sev- budget analysis for Oregon money really well. How- triggering state regulations. In 2019, the city issues a enth-graders and all of a sud- Department of Education,” ever, if you start building a “We did hire an addi- total of 43 dwelling permits, den, you’re at capacity.” Grzeskowiak said. “You have bunch of new houses, that’s tional maintenance person and more are expected in the Capacity is a major con- to give them a population a bunch of new families that to work within the district, coming years. cern for the district, both in count, and it’s not for now, it’s are coming in. And we’re because there are so many Some of the larger projects being physically able to house for next year.” not going to be able to sup- small projects that we do that include a 119-unit subdivi- students in the current facili- The school district has port them. We’re at capacity two people can’t do on their sion located north of town ties, as well as finding staff to to project what the student now. If you want your chil- own,” Grzeskowiak said. “We called the Sand Pine Ranch, teach them. Overcrowding in population is going to be in dren to have the education needed a third to do some which will be less than a classes can create a wide va- order to budget for teachers that we’re providing right preventative maintenance.” mile from Cannery Station, riety of issues, as was evident next year. It’s a difficult task, now, or perhaps an even That’s just for maintaining which is expected to bring 42 this year with the district’s particularly when the state better education, at some what the school has. Updat- units. Oak Commons, locat- kindergarten classes. of housing is in flux. The point, we’re going to have to ing the district to meet needs ed just south of 32nd Street, “When we looked at our DevNW development was update the facility.” beyond what was intended in will create 16 homes, and the initial kindergarten enroll- the 1960s is also a challenge. DevNW project (former- ment estimates for the last “We’re talking about air ly known as NEDCO) will couple of years, our prelimi- circulation, electrical ca- bring 12 homes to the area. nary estimate was about five pacity and trying to build These are projects that [additional] kids,” Grzesko- Aileen Sapp an environment for the 21st have been officially pro- wiak said. “Then in the last Broker century that has a true, na- posed to the city, and there two years, all of a sudden we 541 999-5396 tive digital component to are many more projects in got more than 20 kids than learning. That’s hard to do,” early phases. our initial projections. When Grzeskowiak said. “Nobody Grzeskowiak stated that we did that last year, we were Vinca Alley #2101 – Beautiful Siuslaw River views from this could see that far into the fu- the new housing is more pretty confident it was go- in-town lot with city services ture when the building was than welcome. ing to be 90 kids. We got to at the property line. The cor- designed.” “It’s tough to find a house,” the start of school, and we ners are marked, come take a As an example, he brought he said about finding hous- were at 105. Just that few ex- look for yourself and imagine sipping coffee on the deck of up wiring the elementary ing for new district staff. tra kids, even with a teacher your dream home! $69,500. school for wireless internet. “You got people traveling and an aide, that’s a lot in the #2927-19542617 “That building has twice with their life. That’s been room.” as many access points as it some of the challenges the With overcrowding comes 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 should have if it were a new building,” Grzeskowiak said. “Because of the way it was COMPLIMENTARY SELLERS HOME built at the time, you have WARRANTY DURING LISTING PERIOD these large structural piec- Full Service Flower Shop & Gifts es that create these shadow WHEN YOU SELL WITH US! interference zones. You just * 5%- another broker brings the buyer (2.5% listing can’t put a data point in an area to serve a 120-square- agent 2.5% buyers agent) foot radius. You have two or * 3.75%- listing agent brings the buyer, no other three because there’s these agents involved. physical and electrical shad- * 2%- seller brings the buyer, no other agents ows.” involved. That cost of that project 541-997-5391 was covered by both grants * 0%- you owe nothing if your home does not sell by Owners Gary and Sharon Cargill and funds from the facility contract expiration date. 1234 Rhododendron Dr. maintenance account, but as Florence OR Plan includes: Competitive Commission Rates. Creative the projects keep piling up, & Aggressive Marketing Campaign. Complimentary so do the costs, which stress Home Warranty during listing period, transferred to the maintenance budget. With an extra $45,000 a the new buyers at closing. Open Houses. Yard sign w/ year, the excise tax can help fl yer box. Professional Photography including drone mitigate these costs. But aerial pictures. MLS Listing seen on over 3,000+ Real upcoming housing projects Estate Search Websites. NO hidden fees, CANCEL could test the limits of what anytime, NO fees paid until the homes sells. the school buildings them- - PROVEN RESULTS & SALES STATS - selves can handle, while at SAVE MORE MONEY, KEEP MORE PROFITS - the same time bringing in a d Eleva C te uisine financial windfall for the dis- To get the no obligation process started contact local Real Estate expert: l a Coast Andrea Kirkpatrick, Licensed Broker in Oregon trict. Hybrid Real Estate In the summer of, 2018, 541-505-1943 • oregonbrokerandrea@gmail.com Get Results...List With Aileen. Florence in Bloom Holiday Clearance Sale 50% off select items Now through Jan. 15th. Blue Christmas/Longest Night Service The Presbyterian Church of the Siuslaw and the Flor- ence United Methodist Church will join together at the Presbyterian Church for a Blue Christmas/Lon- gest Night service at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, in the church Sanctuary. The name comes from the season, as Dec. 21 will be the longest night of the year. This is also sometimes known as a Blue Christmas service, describing the feel- ing that a number of us have during this season. In the long, dark winter nights, memories of past experienc- es and the pain of present circumstances can become overwhelming. This will be a service of wholeness and healing. Those looking for comfort, hope, wholeness and renew- al are welcomed and invit- ed; as well as anyone wish- ing to share in an intimate, contemplative service using scriptures, readings, music and more. Rev. Greg Wood will lead the service. The church is lo- cated at 3996 Highway 101. Call the church office with questions, 541-997-7136. DS R A C FECT GIFT ER THE P E T K A M AS GIF M T S I CHR com/ epot. rfrontd thewate certifi cate gift - Maxmize Your Impact With A Life Income Plan ® In the immediate aftermath of a fire and in the everyday crises of life The Salvation Army is here to serve. 1252 Bay St. • Florence 541.902.9100 Features of a Life Income Plan: Q Income For Life Q Partially Tax-Free Income Q Income Tax Deduction Q Asset Diversification 800-481-3280 Call or return the coupon today for more information. Name(s) Address City, State & Zip Phone ( Age(s) E-mail ONE-LIFE RATES Age Rate 65 70 75 80 85 90+ 5.1% 5.6% 6.2% 7.3% 8.3% 9.5% Two-life rates available. Rates subject to change. ) Mail to: William A. Olson, Director of Planned Giving The Salvation Army - Serving Western Lane County 8495 SE Monterey Avenue • Happy Valley, OR 97086 E-mail: bill.olson@usw.salvationarmy.org Visit: salwest.org ©2019 The Salvation Army ACGA3 SN 11/19
