[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6637255,"mediaKeyId","2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3","parentId",2587076,"title","Box Elder board approves architects, construction managers to design 9th‑grade additions at two high schools","audioSeconds",1594,"startMs",3742000,"endMs",5336000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3&start=3742&end=5336","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3/thumbnail_3742000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6637255/Utah/Box-Elder-board-approves-architects-construction-managers-to-design-9thgrade-additions-at-two-high-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637255-267a67f1d929d01bfe27c6a6810e5f64/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176138&Signature=cv8jIr5PB15s~WYrN6u55t~1WLM3SdnAQk5Nx9MwOK9kLnkfRJw4i7TPJmCVR29YtWpQY82bBec3pfHTVdEC9RkGWEZmoFZsSrVzn~b2hYtpYdJ5oOe3fB1te8MrlrtPKTliVAjTCAyRf6DkYrRd0D5YAU0-XahzirI58RTeIXNqnMwsShHc88FXZLE8E6uGffLXNaQEB-Xrbc39yR21ewzxq2ZqGhLjZ3oeYU6A79dAAofChIxRyIpD~18aQH5Mp9~R8MjnwUeo4LeseBUZU7zH~nl9cC0z7xg-OZTGPglUXlkCs1FvaRq~7VlE8TPcQy9YWBu4XYwFPNmvW5c2XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Box Elder School District","date","2025-03-13T04:22:39.73Z","article","The Box Elder School District Board of Education on March 11 approved hiring separate architectural firms and construction-manager/general-contractor (CMGC) teams to design additions that would bring ninth graders into Bear River and Box Elder high schools.

Facilities Director Corey Thompson told the board the district ran a procurement process and interview panel that included principals and two board members, and selected KMA Architects for Bear River High School and NGRA (listed as NJRA in the record) for Box Elder High School. Thompson said separate CMGC firms were recommended for each campus and presented a schedule that would allow the district to seek construction bids in an “optimal bid window” (December–January) to get the best pricing.

Thompson gave a ballpark construction estimate: “Our best guess is between 30 and 35,000,000. So we’re roughly saying between 60 and 70,000,000,” and clarified that the 30–35 million figure was for construction only and did not include architectural design fees or classroom furnishings. He also described typical architect fee rates used in school work: roughly 4–6% of construction cost for architectural fees and 1–2.5% for CMGC fees, depending on project type and market conditions.

Board members voted to approve the recommended firms and gave district leaders authority to negotiate fees. The motion to approve the two architectural firms and authorize Superintendent’s designees to negotiate fees passed after a brief public board vote; one board member registered opposition on grounds that voters had recently rejected a bond proposal that included roughly similar work. A separate motion to approve Westland Construction for Bear River and Hogan Construction for Box Elder as CMGCs likewise passed, with one trustee voting no for the same reason.

Thompson said design will start immediately if the district proceeds; the firms will work with stakeholder representatives from each high school so that the final facility programs reflect both schools’ differing campus configurations and academic needs. He emphasized that the design process can identify components that differ between schools and that the district does not plan to simply split costs evenly if campuses require different work.

The board approved both sets of firms and granted the district business administrator and facilities director authority to finalize fee agreements.

Planning context: the district has been discussing grade‑alignment changes that would reduce the number of student transitions (moving ninth grade into high schools is intended to reduce overall transitions). Thompson said options for other elementary or middle‑school projects remain under discussion and that some previously selected architectural plans (for a western elementary site) would require code updates before reuse.

What’s next: district staff will negotiate fees, begin stakeholder design meetings, and—if the board or taxpayers later authorize construction—seek bids timed to the winter bid window to help control cost volatility.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BESD- Board Meeting - Mar 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Box Elder School District Board of Education on March 11 authorized district staff to negotiate with two architectural firms and two construction managers to design additions that would bring ninth graders into Bear River and Box Elder high schools.","taxTitle","Box Elder School District , Utah School Boards, Utah","taxId",65811,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637241,"Residents urge reopening of North Park playground, Lakeview parents press for portables; bond‑phasing concerns raised",989,2644000,3633000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3&start=2644&end=3633","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3/thumbnail_2644000.jpg","/articles/6637241/Utah/Residents-urge-reopening-of-North-Park-playground-Lakeview-parents-press-for-portables-bondphasing-concerns-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637241-bc7786dfad3da7c841c1698da7d1439d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176138&Signature=dhI97E8gGzumRQ2naHL3a9R1yAFiU9SBJyLvtqN3FuWHgP-82AymuRtqP~a5VPjZCv7-wJElNSmI8OpJUXMXjCnU4NdSL~xceowPl~baw4U~PG60kTrN7klCR-57dKh21gfGJeygYVKWiKQF2XXRNpwEmRTiVDBk2ESPQ2QdHY8v2i6Lfm0866ELB0ozgVBtOWS10TzmDs62p2qw8PVfz8Cp5JHy2N8vNUthLb4W~0MSt47dJDFFFh1kIuzGM5JMbtJuAGvTQICgttB0ycyUxBRlvEtmYC0Q72qcYCRfAL5gQGx5KDiFqLFxY0hA-UZgk1q~gHgW1PJvO~rpNtmR2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, several residents asked the board to reopen North Park Elementary School grounds to neighborhood use and to accelerate fixes at Lakeview Elementary.

North Park neighbors said the locked school grounds had served as an informal community park for decades and that elders and children used the playground frequently. Speakers asked the board to allow access outside school hours and proposed a “use at your own risk” sign and other liability mitigations. Emily Jolley told the board the playground had been closed for about a year in her estimate and said, “Will you please open up North Park Elementary School to our community again?” Another neighbor said reopening would show the school wants to connect with neighbors and help families who find crossing to the city park less safe.

Lakeview’s PTA president described classroom space shortages and urged the district to provide portable classrooms so teachers regain prep time and morale improves. She said Lakeview Elementary (built 1962) needs immediate space solutions and offered community support to secure portables quickly.

A number of speakers also addressed the board’s facilities and bond planning. Mary Anne Cox and others said they support addressing middle‑school building age and capacity sooner than some of the administration’s phased plan, and questioned why large additions to high schools were proposed before replacing older middle‑school buildings. Cox noted the district’s phased timeline could take 15 years and urged the board to reexamine sequencing so highest‑priority middle‑school needs are addressed sooner.

Board members and staff acknowledged the concerns. Facilities staff described procurement and design timing for high‑school additions and said some projects could follow different schedules if funding and state procurement rules allow. The board asked staff to continue community outreach and return with details on portable availability and liability mitigation options for playground access.","Multiple community members asked the board to reopen North Park Elementary grounds to neighborhood use and to expedite portable classrooms and other space fixes at Lakeview Elementary. A longtime resident and several volunteers also voiced concerns about the district's proposed bond phasing and the order of projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637246,"District explains seclusionary time‑out rules and reporting after state rule changes",824,5381000,6205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3&start=5381&end=6205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3/thumbnail_5381000.jpg","/articles/6637246/Utah/District-explains-seclusionary-timeout-rules-and-reporting-after-state-rule-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637246-04205a7e8f53a07402cd75e27b8bb7b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176138&Signature=ku7PFufU1RO9lubcfV-IP8bhedn~Yive9H9TWKjD6lGtBRtHB0sQeGXWtBqn~mpefKUIkkLvBNWT0sJBBBUVxJseCFehrZ1Knhpz7BNZeVCRli2n42pmgRclUTqDnkkFUOaf205elwY~QKASQAWnp3EF9zeXHESdELqxsknuGv21Tr3CQ975Yr4-8NoVIDmm0SMIndcRq2eql3CmGzyq0qyu~UpJz-aOA3CgNc0W95IdAZX1-BdrmT1DFrj6SZt2Ss~9RRnpDU1MqL9i7AMxxOXs-k0B1P1vVRm8eNL3o6Al9JqQWcAg7yfFZA0L7jadaeExB51Hva7mKCohDdwOhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Catherine Allen, a district presenter, briefed the board on seclusionary time out and the district’s updated practices following state rule changes.

Allen defined seclusionary time out as when a student “is placed in a safe and closed area by school personnel… purposefully isolated from adults and peers, and prevented from leaving or reasonably believe that they are prevented from leaving an enclosed area.” She emphasized the statutory limits: seclusionary time out may only be used when a student presents an immediate danger of serious physical harm to self or others; the space must allow continuous monitoring (a window or staff presence); doors must have self‑releasing latches so staff cannot lock a student in and walk away; and a single continuous instance is limited to 30 minutes. At the 30‑minute mark staff must promptly notify the parent or guardian, Allen said.

Allen clarified what seclusion is not: it is not a classroom calming corner or a space students can use voluntarily for regulation. She described required supports: use of multi‑tiered systems of support (MTSS), PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports), and the increased use of functional behavior assessments (FUBA) to understand and plan for behaviors. She said FUBAs are now a requirement in many cases and must be done with parental permission.

Allen also described prohibited practices and required documentation: mechanical and chemical restraints are heavily restricted; prone or airway‑restricting holds are not used; district staff do not use chemical restraints. She said documentation and immediate notification rules have tightened—the district must notify parents immediately when an emergency safety intervention is used, rather than waiting up to 24 hours as previously permitted.

Board members asked how often seclusion rooms are used; Allen did not provide an exact districtwide frequency, saying the number varies and that spikes can be driven by individual students’ circumstances. She also recounted staff safety concerns, citing examples of staff injuries over recent years (concussions, broken arms, bites and other trauma) and thanked school staff for persistently working with challenging situations.

Allen said the district will continue to monitor procedures, provide staff training, and ensure compliance with the new state rules on documentation and notification.","District staff reviewed seclusionary time‑out and emergency safety interventions, including when seclusion may be used, monitoring and parental‑notification rules, and recent changes requiring functional behavior assessments and immediate parent notification after 30 minutes.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6637251,"District outlines steps to meet new school‑safety law, including a school guardian program and building upgrades",1310,6952000,8262000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3&start=6952&end=8262","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2587076-bbd4302c5f9fa66b8b38604e1f9923c3/thumbnail_6952000.jpg","/articles/6637251/Utah/District-outlines-steps-to-meet-new-schoolsafety-law-including-a-school-guardian-program-and-building-upgrades","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6637251-0aa6837fcb855b0998caf1f7ae2377ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771176138&Signature=P7UCwx~cQuoXhGtvokS3~QC5kZ97d65GJRrlrHUVHeIyvaQiQcrZy5mcnDS72kiZpggw-hFVNNUjKCtCuaDYSi1dHDt6uyeBTLLsHjj7GyL0qIw43m1eh3jKLKxw6N0Ra0tGe6BgdUvfo~ZaTLfqYrF-o2XkGFd4AoDcrqxOnWA8zkivm-T6QbQNhUCOzdB9c6M6c5MZAwWAcNQN1dsOTsAZKrzlukuDPPyoUsVmTmz7QbfQkHqgIwnCNepmHRkEGS6UVaRSz2F2~BwxTt5jsERWRu0u4jwAuPp4FpwBnkR~BZhtWzk9xyMI7SsiPrCqT2V19JRCR-RzXvQ-SdYPgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tony Furtiber, the district’s school security specialist, briefed the board on House Bill 84 (2024) and more recent amendments (House Bill 40, 2025) that impose new statewide school‑safety requirements on school districts and other agencies.

Furtiber summarized the law’s major components: requirements for emergency communication, expanded threat reporting and integration between SafeUT and the state intelligence center (SIAC), district safety needs assessments, video surveillance standards, panic alert devices, and designation of several school safety roles. He said the state security chief’s office and local sheriff’s office are coordinating training and technical support.

Two roles required by the law were described in detail:

- A school safety specialist (referred to in the law as a district or building-level designee) who will lead assessments, drills, reunification planning and coordination with local law enforcement; the district plans one specialist (S‑4) per school. Furtiber said these positions may be filled by assistant principals or counselors in some buildings.

- A school guardian: a volunteer, district employee who may be armed and who must meet state fitness‑to‑carry and criminal‑background standards, complete a multi‑day training program, and accept annual and biannual refreshers. Furtiber said guardians cannot be classroom teachers unless the district requests and receives a state exemption; the law envisions guardians who are employees but not responsible for a classroom. The district plans to seek exemptions if an experienced employee (for example, a coach or PE teacher) is a good fit and the district can show adequate backup supervision.

Furtiber described administrative and technical work already done: the district completed the required 2024 safety needs assessments; measured all school windows for proposed window film; upgraded cameras and arranged dispatch access to live feeds; and researched wearable panic devices that would alert dispatch, activate select cameras and provide situational data to first responders. He said some timelines changed with the HB40 amendment—safety assessments will be required every three years instead of annually, and certain building hardening deadlines were clarified.

On money and timing, Furtiber said the district applied for a 2025 safety grant and was awarded limited funds to upgrade specific building features (for example, gun safes). He noted that statewide demand was large and the state planned staged funding; some items, such as window film, were pushed out to 2030 in the amendment. Furtiber gave sample costs and operational considerations: the fit‑to‑carry psychological assessment will be done by vendors and is expected to cost a few hundred dollars per guardian; the state offers a one‑time stipend (about $500) for guardians to purchase a secure firearm safe but that will not fully cover training, ammunition or equipment costs.

Furtiber said the state requires guardians’ identities to be kept restricted for safety reasons; only the guardian, school administrator, the district security specialist and district administration will know who a guardian is. Training will include a three‑day curriculum (classroom, range, scenario day) run with sheriff’s office partners. The district intends to offer training this summer and to begin implementing staffing and equipment steps ahead of the law’s hard deadlines.

Board members asked about operational details—whether guardians must be onsite “bell to bell” (Furtiber said the law anticipates daily coverage and the district hopes to recruit at least two guardians per school to create redundancy), how staff time and ammunition costs will be covered (some training costs are district expenses; the state stipend is limited), and how the district will handle public communication while protecting guardian confidentiality.

Furtiber presented other district goals: extend two‑way radio communications for every campus (cell networks can fail in an emergency), build stockpiled disaster supplies, expand NIMS incident‑command training for administrators, and expand local CSTAG (Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines) training and threat‑assessment capacity. He said the district will provide legislators with cost estimates the board requested and continue to seek state support.","District security staff briefed the board on House Bill 84 and its March 2025 amendments, describing required safety roles, a school guardian volunteer program, video and panic‑button plans, window‑film and fencing timelines, training schedules and early cost concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Box Elder board approves architects, construction managers to design 9th‑grade additions at two high schools

Residents urge reopening of North Park playground, Lakeview parents press for portables; bond‑phasing concerns raised

District explains seclusionary time‑out rules and reporting after state rule changes

District outlines steps to meet new school‑safety law, including a school guardian program and building upgrades