Board authorizes RFQ process as district weighs replacing Hailey Elementary
Summary
Board directed staff to issue a request for qualifications for architects to build a bench of firms for upcoming projects, including a possible Hailey Elementary replacement; trustees asked for further information and a focused board discussion on whether to commit to rebuilding before selecting architects.
The Blaine County School District moved on Dec. 9 to refresh its bench of architecture firms by issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) after staff warned that rebuilding Hailey Elementary could be a likely project in an upcoming plant facility levy cycle.
Director Bennion said the district's prior RFQ responses remain valid for five years and that Design West had been the only respondent previously. He recommended issuing a new RFQ to match firms to future projects and to ensure the district can pick an architect suited to a likely Hailey Elementary replacement, HVAC life‑cycle projects and other capital work. "Those request for qualifications are valid for 5 years," Bennion said, noting a bench gives the district flexibility to select firms by project.
Trustees pressed for a clearer timeline and cost parameters before selecting architects. Bennion and other staff discussed prior building condition evaluations (a 2021 assessment was referenced) and noted significant inefficiencies at the existing Hailey facility: the district cited an estimated building size of roughly 90,000 square feet serving about 300 students compared with a more compact building at Alturas Elementary (about 64,000 square feet for about 450 students), and staff said energy inefficiency and safety (numerous exterior entrances) were ongoing concerns. Staff tentatively suggested the district maintain a similar levy cadence (discussed in the meeting at a roughly $5,000,000 annual scale for facility projects) but emphasized the need for board discussion about an acceptable replacement cost range before committing to a rebuild or hiring an architect.
The board asked staff to return in January with an information item that frames the decision (including potential cost ranges and options) prior to taking action on architect selection. Staff also committed to share overlays and a rough design sketch of consolidation proposals when discussing facility consolidation and RFQ next month.
