In April 1997, Anchorage voters approved funds for Master Planning
Dimond, Service, and Chugiak
High Schools to meet 21st century educational needs. The Master Plans were to
consider capacities, educational programs, and physical conditions, and were to
recommend major renewals and renovations.
Educational consultants were hired to facilitate creation of
District-Wide High School Educational Specifications through an extensive
public involvement process. These were approved by the School Board in June
1998.
Planning consultants were then retained to prepare Master Plans
and project cost estimates for Dimond, Service, and Chugiak High Schools.
Phases of the Master Plans were established for Service and Chugiak. The costs
for Dimond High School renovations exceeded replacement. Cost savings from the
Master Planning for these schools allowed similar efforts to be undertaken for
East and Bartlett High Schools. These Master
Plans were also broken into phases.
Funding for design and construction of Dimond's replacement and
the new South Anchorage High School plus
Service's electrical technology upgrades and Chugiak's Phase I was approved by
voters in the April 1999 Bond Issue. In 2000, voters approved Bond Issues for
Phase I's of Bartlett, East, and Service, and for Chugiak's Phases II &
III.
Designing a project begins with Conceptual and Schematic
iterative processes. This web site's drawings variously show the schools'
Master Plans, Concepts, and Schematics, depending on the current stage of a
project's development. Project Teams include architectural firms, their
specialty educational and engineering consultants, school principals and their
staff, and ASD project managers. Public input is sought from parents, students,
neighbors, and teachers, and funneled to the Building Design Committees for
consideration to incorporate in the design. Tentative design decisions are made
by the District and Building Design Committee by consensus. The School Board
approves these decisions.
Why should I be interested in these high schools? Do
you think your family is too young to be interested
in these High School projects? Think
again! The new Dimond opened in fall of 2003,
and South Anchorage High School opened in fall
of 2004. Children now in the early years of elementary
school will be graduating from Dimond and South
Anchorage. The first renovation phases have begun
at the other high schools. If all future Anchorage
high school students are to have the benefits
enjoyed at the new schools, all renovation phases
must be completed at all high schools.
