In the late 1990s, the school board made a commitment to renew its high schools. This commitment has been reflected in the district’s capital improvement plans since then. Prior to then, the district focused on needed elementary school renewals. Because high schools are much larger and renewals are much more expensive, the decision was made to create master plans with phased projects spread over multiple years. Phasing would also allow classes to continue to function during construction.
Other high schools chose to prioritize more expensive projects, such as auditoriums, early in the phases. Service High School chose to focus on classrooms first. Due to inflation in construction costs and volatile energy costs, the district and the Capital Request Advisory Committee recommended that the most expensive project be funded now, rather than be vulnerable to higher costs later.
Built in 1971, Service started off as a junior and senior high school until junior high students moved to Hanshew in 1984. In 2000, the district created a master plan to renovate and renew the facility originally built to serve two separate programs. To date, less than 50 percent of the master plan work is completed. This remaining scope is equivalent to constructing three new elementary schools or one new middle school.
The district revisited Service High School renewal’s 2000 master plan to investigate cost saving measures that would not significantly affect a commitment to deliver a complete educational program. Estimated cost savings of $23 million were realized through consolidating phased funding to one-time, and reconfiguring master plan components through innovative design solutions to achieve a one year reduction in construction. |
