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Architects present Central and 'Interstate' site options for proposed K–2 school; either site feasible, designers say
Summary
VLDD architects presented preliminary, 'fat‑marker' plans for a new K–2 building and campus circulation at two district-owned sites; board and staff discussed traffic flow, stormwater retention and timelines for mobile classrooms and other renovation work.
VLDD architects presented two conceptual site plans and a near-term project schedule to the Effingham CUSD 40 board at its April meeting, saying both the Central Campus and the district’s property by the interstate could accommodate a new kindergarten-through-grade‑2 building.
“Either campus can work,” architect Damien Schlitz told the board, describing the drawings as early, “fat‑marker” plans meant to show scale, traffic flow and future expansion options. Schlitz said designers studied vehicular and bus circulation, separation of student drop‑off from bus lanes, playground siting, and on‑site stormwater detention.
The Central Campus option preserves an existing detention pond and places separate car and bus loops to avoid crossing traffic. The interstate‑adjacent property would require new detention basins but offers a broad layout that could accommodate an additional building later and closer adjacency to the high school for potential shared facilities.
District staff and the architect also discussed projects already moving forward: 3–4 mobile classrooms arriving at Southside, planned paving at the high school and Central (now pushed to next summer), and renovation work at Central. Schlitz said some Southside work could use health‑life‑safety funds because it addresses building leaks and water infiltration.
Board members and staff raised practical questions: whether to build one‑story versus two‑story, the tradeoffs of land use versus building efficiency, and the effect of site grade and underground utilities. Schlitz said utility locations were “a wash” between the two sites and that detailed topography and borings would follow once the board narrows a site choice.
Superintendent Andrew Johnson told the board the mobile classrooms will be positioned at Southside in May; fences will be temporarily removed and replaced, and the district plans to create additional staff parking there. The board will consider project authorizations and bids at upcoming meetings; architects asked for direction on a preferred site to proceed to more detailed design work.
The board did not vote on a site at the meeting; members asked staff to bring further analysis and a recommendation at a future session.
