An architectural firm on Tuesday (Oct. 1) presented the Haldane district with renderings of an addition to the high school that is part of a proposed $28.4 million capital plan. In the images below, the current building and entrance are shown on the left. The 17,300-square-foot addition would begin at the roofline; the section at the center would house a science and math center and student support services, and the structure at the right would be a student center. If the capital plan is approved by voters on Nov. 19, the addition should be ready by 2029, according to the firm, CSArch.
Haldane better figure out how to pay for this project without raising taxes. Our school tax is insane now — maybe cut back on salaries and manpower.
As a Blue Ribbon, nationally recognized school, with a yearly graduation rate of nearly 100 percent, Haldane High School generates appropriate pride for our community. To maintain our high school and school district’s high quality, we must continue investing in our students by upgrading and renovating educational resources and buildings to meet the challenges and opportunities of new and future technologies. The last major capital investment was over 20 years ago. Although the student census may have remained about the same in the past 20 years and may remain stable going forward, the information and skills we want our students to have has changed dramatically. The advances in science, technology and the arts, among other subjects, need dedicated lab space to provide hands-on experiments and experiences. Further, some classes are taught in a building that was built as a cottage in the late 19th century and is inadequate for modern teaching and learning. As a result of the lack of space at the high school, students sit on the floor in the halls eating their lunches and doing homework. The high school does not have it own cafeteria. The bond vote scheduled for Nov. 19 calls for financing a student center with multi-use space for lunch, studying, collaborative projects, presentations and performances for and by students and staff. The emotional needs of our students are being met with increased support staff. We need to assist this critical function by making sure appropriate space is available. The services of psychologists and… Read more »