District 1 Board Revises 2006 Capital Plan

By Tammy Krikorian, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.

Jan. 19–At a special meeting Wednesday, the governing board of Yuma Elementary School District 1 revised its 2006 capital plan because of a larger-than-expected increase in middle school enrollment. The increase in students qualifies the district for additional funding from the state’s school facilities board which will be used to complete the build-out of Ron Watson Middle School. The previously submitted capital plan, approved by the board in September, included a request for a new middle school in 2008. In its place, the district will ask the state to fund an additional 25,000 square feet at Ron Watson immediately. The amendment, which was approved unanimously by the board, is expected to save the district an estimated $3 million. Under the previous plan, District 1 would have been building out Ron Watson over the next three years using its own money. Superintendent Tom Rushin said the district projected a 2.5 percent growth rate for the year, which will be the average, but sixth, seventh and eighth grades increased more rapidly than the other grades, at 6.1 percent. “We qualify for additional space now,” Rushin said. Rushin said the special meeting was held in hopes the school facilities board can get District 1 on the agenda for its February meeting. Even with building out Ron Watson, Rushin said, District 1 will likely need an additional middle school in 2010. The Ron Watson expansion will include an additional eight general classrooms, and art room, music room, locker rooms, a dining room, technology room and life skills room. The project will make room for at least 250 more students, increasing capacity to 700. The district also expects a need for a new elementary school in 2009 with a core building and 12 classrooms with room for expansion that would be funded with the district’s capital. The district also thinks an additional elementary school will be necessary by 2011. “All of that could move up a year very easily in the elementary schools,” Rushin said. “It just depends on what actual enrollment growth occurs.” According to information provided by the district, enrollment is expected to go up from 9,828 for 2005-06 to 11,345 by 2012-13. “We know we’re in a hypergrowth area and our numbers will increase more rapidly,” Rushin said. Board member Maureen Irr asked if the numbers could be revised if there were a “sudden influx” of students, and Rushin said they could. The capital plan is usually revised each year for submission to the school facilities board. “In a growing state, we know we’re going to need new schools,” Rushin said. “That’s not the issue. It’s where and how fast.”

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Sun, Yuma, Ariz.

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