Clark board approves $89,000 for ALJ pre‑K architectural plans amid parent concerns about placement and school capacity

The Board of Education of Clark Public Schools voted to approve an $89,000 architectural services expenditure to plan pre‑K classroom work at Arthur L. Johnson High School, the district’s superintendent told parents during public comment. The board approved a package of finance items that included the contract; the motion passed by roll call.

Parents and residents pressed the board for details about funding, timing and the decision to place 3‑ and 4‑year‑old children on a high‑school campus, saying they wanted more community input before decisions were finalized.

The funding for the architectural plan will come from preschool expansion aid, Superintendent Grande said. "The preschool expansion aid funding actually allows us to use those monies for the type of renovations that we're looking to do to Arthur L. Johnson High School," Grande said, adding that using those grant funds preserves the district operating budget for staffing and equipment.

Why it matters: parents said the move affects classroom experience at overcrowded elementary schools and raises safety and logistics questions about placing very young children on a high school campus. Board members said the district is trying to finish planning quickly to meet program start timelines while addressing parents' concerns.

What the board approved and how: The board voted to approve finance agenda items 19–28, which included the $89,000 architectural services line item for the ALJ pre‑K project. The finance motion was presented and seconded as part of a block vote; the board recorded its roll call and carried the motion. During public comment, Michael Schulman noted the line item and asked whether the $89,000 covered only bathroom modifications or the broader build‑out and whether the district intended to pursue additional state grants. "This is the agenda item related to an $89,000 expenditure for architectural services for the proposed pre‑K space at the high school," Schulman said.

District response and timeline: Grande said the district expects to maintain the designated wing at ALJ "for the foreseeable future" and noted the high school's current enrollment of roughly 800 students compared with a historical capacity of about 1,700. He said no current high‑school programs would be cut, though some programs might be relocated within the building. Grande also said registration and placement notices have already gone out and the district scheduled an information session for parents the night after the meeting to show a vision for the physical space and to answer questions.

Longer‑term funding and grant questions: The meeting record shows parents asking whether the district would apply for other school construction grants and whether the preschool tuition grant (a five‑year grant for tuition) would continue after the grant term ends. Grande said the district would use preschool expansion aid to cover renovations and still retain funds to hire staff and equip classrooms; he acknowledged uncertainty about long‑term funding after initial grant years and that the district is planning for those contingencies.

Modular classrooms and prior approvals: Several speakers referenced previously approved modular classrooms. Grande explained that modular units had been part of an earlier plan when the preschool was intended for another site; "They were originally approved because we were planning to have the preschool program there, and they were going to be funded through the preschool grants," he said. Once the district decided to locate the preschool at ALJ, Grande said the modular plan was no longer part of that solution.

Community concerns beyond site placement: Public commenters raised related issues including a shortage of substitute teachers, lack of consistent specials (music, art, library) at some elementary schools, broken or undersized playgrounds and overcrowding at Frankie Henley and Valley Road schools. Several board members acknowledged those concerns and said committees are reviewing space and personnel needs. Board member Lewis said personnel and space for Henley and Valley Road are a priority; "Right now, my opinion, the most important thing for Valley and Henley is space," he said.

Communication and bond referendum questions: Parents also criticized the district’s communication about preschool plans and a forthcoming bond referendum. Grande said the district has been working with a communications consultant and that an initial proposal for referendum public‑relations support had been scaled back from about $90,000 to roughly $40,000. He said the board and consultants were advising caution about releasing details before state funding determinations were complete so the district would not circulate inaccurate or “half‑baked” information.

Meeting outcome and next steps: The finance block containing the architectural contract for ALJ’s pre‑K plan was approved by roll call as part of items 19–28. The district scheduled an information session the next evening to go over the ALJ space and to answer parent questions; board members said they would continue committee work on elementary space, staffing and communication.

Ending: Parents and board members signaled continued disagreement about process and detail, but board leaders said they will continue meeting with stakeholders, hold further information sessions and move forward with the architectural planning funded by preschool expansion aid.