Superintendent: High school remodel negotiations moving forward; state capital package and pipeline valuation could boost future funding

Superintendent Jason Weber told the board that the city is negotiating with Wolf Architecture, the district’s selected architecture firm for the planned high school remodel, and outlined next steps and timing for the project.

"Once that negotiation is complete, they'll send their recommendation to city council, and then the city council approves it," Weber said. He said the architecture firm typically takes six to eight weeks to produce initial modeling and drawings, after which the team will work with stakeholder groups to develop more detailed plans.

Weber explained the architecture team includes an educational specialist who will help develop an Ed Spec consistent with state requirements, which the district will use to document classroom needs and support potential capital reimbursement eligibility.

On legislative matters, Weber summarized a proposed operating package he described as about $140 million in one-time funds (characterized in the meeting as $111 million plus $29 million for fuel assistance) and noted a capital budget that could reimburse the city for prior envelope work. "The city can be reimbursed up to I think close to $7 million for that project if that is signed in into law," Weber said.

He also reported that the state tax board set the pipeline valuation at $13 billion, higher than a previous $8 billion figure, and said the change would not affect the coming school year but could positively influence the following year’s revenues.

Weber encouraged the public to participate in stakeholder meetings and said the district will schedule work sessions so the full board and community can give input as the design process advances.