Jamestown  (CSi)  Jamestown Public Schools (JPS) is examining the role its facilities play in educating students for 21st century careers – many of which do not even exist yet.

On Tuesday’s Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent, Robert Lech again pointed out that  many systems in JPS buildings are nearing the end of their life, and it is necessary to consider the best options for repair or replacement. Community input in this examination has been critical and will be further sought in the coming weeks, including through listening forums, focus groups, and general comments.

Since May 2016, JPS has undertaken the following:

  • Retained independent consultants to review the expected life of our facilities and recommend a 10-year capital maintenance plan, a summary of which was presented to the School Board in July;
  • Gathered perspectives from staff through an electronic survey related to current instructional needs and the ability of our facilities to meet those needs;
  • Launched a Citizen’s Facilities Steering Committee including school board members, the school leadership team, staff representatives, community leaders and our consultants DLR Group, PFM Financial Advisors, and Consolidated Construction Company;
  • Provided school tours at Lincoln / Transition House, Gussner, Roosevelt, Louis L’Amour, the High School, Jamestown North, James Valley Career and Tech Center, the Middle School, and Washington; and
  • Received preliminary updated enrollment projections from RSP & Associates, indicating continued growth in enrollment. (RSP will present their detailed findings at our School Board meeting on March 20, 2017).

Throughout March, this year JPS was holding facility needs discussion with staff, including a review of the survey taken last May.

 

Superintendent Lech said, in July of 2016 the Jamestown School board received a report from Tom Beck, a former school facilities director, regarding condition and expected useful life of JPS facilities. The report included recommendations from the engineering assessments done by DLR Group in 2014 as well as an independent review by Consolidated Construction. The goal of this study was to determine which repairs and maintenance are needed in the next 10 years.

Lech said the report confirmed that JPS facilities have been well maintained. The District has been able to fund maintenance at the recommended $0.80 – 0.90 per square foot annually, but many systems are nearing end of life or need updating to current standards. Critical items from the report included the condition of the roofs, windows, the lack of handicap accessibility to ADA Standards (American with Disabilities Act), heating and ventilation systems, electrical and lighting systems, safety and security improvements.

 

He added that there is a capital maintenance “bubble” in the next 3 – 5 years that will require additional funding. On average, the capital maintenance needs $2.1 million annually for the next 10 years in excess of the current annual funding of about $600,000.

He said that there may be a referendum by September this year, with a public vote to accomplish the goals outline for Jamestown Public Schools, facilities improvements.

 

School officials  were also presented with future enrollment projections from Robert Schwarz of RSP, confirming that  JPS enrollment should hold steady in the next five years (2% projected increase).

Lech pointed out that this is valuable as the school district works to confirm that it’s on target in discussions about our District facility needs.

The data has been provided to the Citizen’s Steering Committee, and they are currently considering best options to address maintenance and educational needs.

 

JPS invites the local community to join the discussion about the public school system, share your vision for othe future and what  students need to succeed in the 21st Century, and how facilities play a role in this evolution.

He added that all are welcome to attend the Citizen’s Steering Committee meetings, participate in the focus groups, or simply contact JPS at your convenience.  Visit their web site www.jamestown.k12.nd.us/, or call the District Office at 252-1950.

Updates on progress will be provided regularly to local media, including CSiNewsNow.com and The Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, and posted on the JPS website, provided through the Jamestown School District app, school newsletters, and on social media.

Updates on JPS information and calendars and events available on CSi Cable 76 The Blue Jay Channel.