Consultants present 7–12 consolidation concept; board schedules follow-up work session and community meeting

Consultants from WITSAFE presented a facility assessment and conceptual plans to the Little Falls Community Schools Board of Education on Oct. 20 as the district explores bringing seventh- and eighth-grade students into the high school as part of long-range facilities planning. Superintendent Johnson introduced the consultants and said the work ties directly to the district strategic plan goals for financial stability, facilities, and safety.

"What we've learned is that a lot of the building has been very well maintained over the years. However, there's areas of the building, particularly mechanically and electrically, that are original still," consultant Lindsay Krenz said during the presentation, summarizing the facility assessment. The consultants highlighted priorities including replacement of original HVAC and plumbing systems, replacement of an aging boiler and pneumatic controls, electric controls and some remaining non-LED lighting, replacement of exterior windows installed in the 1970s, science lab casework updates and a roof replacement for the auditorium/music wing (identified as Area F).

Krenz and colleague Steve Brzeidlow outlined concept plans that recapture the existing media center and mechanical space to create a two-level educational wing. The upper level concept centers a large, open media/learning commons flanked by departmental suites (math, science, English and social studies) with adjacent special-education breakout and support spaces. The lower level plan includes a special-education suite, culinary and FACS labs, a PACE lab and space for CTE programs. The proposal would also incorporate "universal" single-occupancy toilet rooms with a shared handwashing station in circulation areas.

Consultants described tours of comparable projects — Crosby-Ironton, Brainerd High School and Rock Ridge High School — and said design features the district is considering include more natural daylighting, learning commons, departmental clustering to improve collaboration and circulation improvements to address narrow corridors.

On operational questions, consultants said the plan includes roughly 28–29 traditional classrooms and four flexible classrooms on the upper level and that the design currently provides dedicated classroom space for each teacher rather than a fully flexible "hotel" model. On gym-space concerns, Krenz said the district could program five areas for physical education (dividable main gym, weight room, wrestling/multipurpose room, and north mezzanine) and that while not ideal, the configuration is workable programmatically.

Consultants urged further user-group meetings and refinement of cost and funding strategies. They stated next steps: finish user-group meetings, produce a refined concept plan, and return for a board work session (tentative Nov. 5), a community meeting (Nov. 10) and board review/comment on Dec. 8. Budget strategy and funding options (including potential referendum) will follow as the district refines scope and cost estimates.

City Administrator Alex Smith and Councilmember Glaze attended and said the city has interest in potentially reusing portions of the middle school if the district vacates it, noting the city’s own needs for police and city hall facilities and potential savings from reuse. Councilmember Glaze said a coordinated approach could be financially beneficial but raised questions about overlapping tax impacts on local residents.

No referendum amount or final cost estimates were presented at the meeting; consultants said financial options will be discussed in future sessions. The board did not vote on the concept plan on Oct. 20; consultants requested continued engagement with staff and user groups to bring a refined plan and budget strategy back to the board for formal consideration.