Committee gets first glimpse into future RE-2 facilities

Matt+Arabasz+presents+the+plans+for+the+high+school+to+the+Long+Range+Facilities+Planning+Committee.+

Matt Arabasz presents the plans for the high school to the Long Range Facilities Planning Committee.

The RE-2 Long Range Planning Committee got its first glimpse into the new plans for the facilities, including drafts for updating the middle and high schools, and constructing a new K-5 in a new location. RB&B construction company unveiled the first drafts on Jan. 23 in a meeting for the Long Range Planning Committee at Eaton Middle School. Hired by the school board in Dec. 11, 2017, RB&B construction is the same company that built BEES, the addition at EMS, and an addition at Galeton. Senior associate for RB&B, Matt Arabasz, led the presentation with coworker Derek Young, answering questions from committee members.

After analysis, RB&B has determined that the best option for the framework of the facilities is to construct a new K-5 elementary, add an addition to BEES, and revitalize EMS and EHS for an estimated cost of 73,000,000 dollars. RB&B has determined that a new high school is not financially feasible, as it will cost about 90,000,000 dollars to build a new high school, convert EMS to an elementary school and EHS to EMS. Additionally, about 25,000,000 dollars of any proposed budget is needed to renovate existing mechanical, plumbing, and heating and cooling equipment.

RB&B is still in the process of configuring plans for the buildings. This summer, RB&B will be planning for the bond issue that will be voted on this coming November. In the spring of 2019, design work will begin and the first construction work will begin in the summer of 2019.

High school overhaul

The focus of construction at the high school is to create space to accommodate growth, enclose the campus into a seamless building, and provide more space for music and vocational classes. The plan pictured below does not include any future buildings located in the Eaton park, but there is still possibility for expansion into the park with the cooperation of the town board.

Possible aux gym for EMS

Over at the middle school, classroom additions, a new band room, and a new gymnasium are possibilities being discussed. A new gym would allow 7th grade sports practices to be held after school instead of before school, and could provide increased space for 8th grade graduation and band concerts.

A new K-5 school

Currently, Eaton Elementary is at capacity, converting closets into classrooms for more space. There is not an adequate amount of land around the building to expand it in any way, as EES is completely surrounded by streets.

Putting a new K-5 school on the same plot of land would be impossible due to the size. This map illustrates the space needed for another building the size of BEES to be put on the elementary school’s land.

The biggest change in the course of facilities planning is the new location for a new K-5 school. Superintendent Dr. Randy Miller explained to the committee that the previously discussed location to the east of Hawkstone would still require transportation of kids across highway 39, whereas the new location, south of Eaton Commons to the west of Rd 39, would require no transportation of students from Eaton Commons.

With this addition Eaton will have three K-5 schools, including Galeton Elementary and BEES. Miller said, “The debate on where to draw the boundaries in the district after the construction [of the new elementary] is up in the air. There will be a lot of meetings to determine that issue.”

BEES gets a new wing

BEES was built by RB&B with an addition in mind, and since the building is fairly new, it will need the least amount of mechanical updates. The current plan for BEES is to add an extension for classrooms onto the east side.  

 

Although these design plans are subject to change, they offer the first look into the future of all district facilities. All renovation and construction projects are contingent on the bond issue, however, and the district needs support from the town in the bond election in order to break ground.

To stay updated on the facilities project, see the district webpage titled 2018 Facilities Project. Additional questions or comments will be handled by Assistant Superintendent Bridgette Muse ([email protected]).