The Fate Of Sfhs Unknown.

Title: The Fate of SFHS Unknown Editor: Kyle Thornberg Writer: Ben Braaten Section: News During the May 22 St. Francis School Board meeting, members discussed options for the November 7 building bond referendum. The main topic was possible solutions for crowding and other consequences of local growth on the high school. There were three options discussed, the remodeling of the high school, and the construction of a ninth grade complex over the practice fields and the construction of a e new high school.’

The High school, built for 1,550 students, now holds 1923 students and can expect 50 more during the coming school year. Onward, portables are already planned between the softball fields and the staff parking.

The option of remodeling the high school will cost $5.4 million and will create three regular classrooms and two special education rooms by 2006-07 This will lead to the removal of Social Studies and Math resource room and offices, the language arts office as well as half of the World Language , as well as utilizing the electronics room and staff lounge. By 2007-08, the school could gain five regular educations and three special education room by , removing the Open Lab, flipping the Career Center and Guidance offices. Furthermore the office and counseling offices will be moved to the multipurpose room with the addition of relocating the Community Education office. In addition to the added class space a new stairwell would be constructed going from the language arts hallway to the Physical Education hallway, a new loading dock, eight tennis courts, and parking lots as well as the construction of a storage building. This option was referenced to as a Band-Aid by multiple board members. Mr. Neubauer did not argue with this conclusion.

“We did everything we could possibly do” said Principal Paul Neubauer. When commenting on the public perception of remodeling the high school core without any new construction.

Another option would be the construction of a ninth grade complex consisting of two floors. There would be nine rooms on each level with Physical Education space and lockers, with a possibility of a track on the upper level. The complex would cover growth issues for 5-7 years and cost 14 million. However there may be issues with water being three feet down.

Lastly is the option of building an entire new high school possibly on the East Bethel/Crossroads site or a new locale. High schools are required by the state of Minnesota to be built on 75-80 acres without including wetlands. During a February 6 school board meeting Mr. Saxton shared a plan for a high school. On one half would be grades 6-8 and on another 9-12 with expansion space on both sides. A new high school will cost more than $50 million dollars.

The St. Francis School Board will have a meeting on June 12 and would welcome your input about these options and any other concerns. School Board meetings are held at the District Offices at 4115 Ambassador Road St. Francis.