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REEDS SPRING R-IV board approves central office construction to enable on-campus alternative school
Summary
The board approved a contract to design and build a modest central office, funded from district reserves, and will repurpose current central office space to create an on-campus alternative school for grades 7–12 to address escalating behavioral needs and improve reintegration options.
A staff member representing REEDS SPRING R-IV said the school board approved a contract to begin designing and constructing a modest central office building so the district can convert the current central office into an on-campus alternative school for students in grades 7–12.
"This is about students," the staff member said, describing the board's decision as driven by recurring behavioral challenges that, the district says, are disrupting instruction. The staff member added that auditors praised the district's fiscal practices, and that the project will be funded from board reserves rather than new debt.
District officials described the AltSchool concept as a nontraditional learning environment with a defined mission, entrance and transition criteria, referral protocols and staff dedicated to personalized supports. Garrett Noonan led a team that visited alternative programs across the state and returned recommendations on program design and space needs, according to the staff member.
Design work is scheduled over the coming months, the staff member said, with a target to begin construction in March and an estimated seven-month build period. "This new modest building is not gonna be at Taj Mahal," the staff member said, adding the district expects to complete the project so renovations for the AltSchool can begin and programming can be ready for the 2027–28 school year.
The staff member said the board voiced full support for the AltSchool expansion and related facility work. Next steps include finalizing designs, posting staff positions tied to the AltSchool timeline and public communication after the winter break.
The announcement followed a district master-planning process and community-engagement work tied to the board's strategic plan, which the staff member said continues to guide capital and program decisions.
