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The Valley High School remodeling project is part of the West Des
Moines Community Schools 10-Year Facility Plan.
The project will be funded, as originally planned, with proceeds
from the one-cent sales tax ($30
million) and Physical Plant and Equipment
Levy ($1.5 million).
Construction projects funded by the sales tax
include the appointment of a representative team to work with an
architect to recommend a design concept. The teams begin discussion
with the design concepts outlined in the 10-year plan. These teams
have worked on design for Stilwell Junior High School, Hillside
Elementary School, Clive Elementary School and Valley Stadium.
The 10-Year Facility Plan
may be modified. The process for making changes requires the district
to receive community input on proposed modifications to the plan.
This process has already been used to make the decision to build
Hillside Elementary School. Recently, meetings were held to receive
feedback on revisions in the design concept for the Clive School
remodeling project. A similar process will be followed if the recommendation
for the Valley High School project calls for revisions to the 10-Year
Facility Plan.
To decide to recommend to the Superintendency
and Board of Education the preferred design solution for modernizing
Valley High School.
The Site Design Team is using the following criteria, developed
in 2003 by the Board of Education, to guide the development of a
recommendation:
- Minimize disruption
- Minimize time of project
- Minimize relocation of students
- Attend to health, safety and code issues throughout
the building
- Incorporate what’s been learned through
Design Down and the Connections Committee about quality learning
spaces
- Provide more parking
- Improve the learning environment (windows,
gathering spaces, team learning spaces)
- Improve operational efficiencies; reduce costs
of operation
- Concentrate attention on where students will
be spending the most time; place a priority on core classroom
space
- Be prudent about expenditures to fix core infrastructure
- Design moderate interior/exterior finishes
(Southwoods quality is okay)
- Stay within the budget
- Anticipate remodel issues
- Renovate/overhaul heating, cooling and electrical
systems
- Be consistent with what was stated in the referendum,
10-year plan and 10-year master facility improvement plan
- Make appropriate modifications based on input
from a variety of sources
(Additional information for use by the Site Design Team)
The committee was asked by Superintendent Les Omotani to develop
recommendations regarding how three smaller learning communities
could be structured and organized to provide for all students increased
personalization and the feeling of being connected to the school
for all students.
The committee began by reviewing the work done by the Design Down
Committee during the previous year. It then developed a set of Grounding
Statements that established the criteria for the desired changes
at the high school. During the next three months the committee discussed
and explored numerous options for meeting the criteria for a more
personalized school environment. The final recommendation was agreed
to by the committee at its last meeting.
- Will enhance the connectiveness among all members
of its learning environment – students, staff, parents and
the community
- Will encourage student voice
- Will promote greater flexibility in the development
and delivery of curriculum and the scheduling of courses
- Will provide a foundation for students to pursue
a wide variety of post-secondary opportunities
- Will address the needs of all learning styles
in a population with changing demographics
- Will incorporate ongoing technology improvements
in all areas that enhance teaching and learning
- Will provide opportunities for each student
to demonstrate competencies and intellectual growth in all courses
- It will provide a learning environment that
better supports the interests of all students
- It will allow for new ways to deliver instruction
- It will support the learning styles of all
students
- It will support relationships and provide for
a stronger sense of “connectedness” among students
and staff
- It will enable better integration of technology
into classroom instruction
- It will provide for a safer, healthier and
more pleasurable learning environment
- It will allow for lower operational and maintenance
costs
- It will attract outstanding staff members
- Staff will continue to hold high expectations
for student achievement and maintain academic rigor in a meaningful
and challenging curriculum
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Remodel
Correction of all fire and safety issues
New heating, cooling and electrical systems in the academic areas
New technology and communication systems
New construction of academic space (78,000 square feet)
New boiler and mechanical space
Expanded kitchen and dining
New finishings (paint, carpet, lighting) in most areas
Improved access for disabled students, staff and community members
Build New
New academic spaces designed for new teaching/learning
methodology
New resource and media support spaces
New student center, cafeteria and kitchen
New fine arts auditorium and “black box” theater
New administrative and counseling areas
New vocational-technical labs
New system of corridors for enhanced security and control
New furnishings and equipment
New technology and communication systems
New energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
New parkway entrance off 35th Street leading to a new major entrance
for visitors
Additional parking
New track and tennis courts
In August 2002, the Board of Education approved
a plan to retain Valley High School for grades 10-12 with a major
new addition. The decision was based on extensive study by the Design
Down Committee; feedback from community forums and surveys and financial
information on property tax impact. A team of architects, construction
managers and district staff worked to fine-tune design concepts
and associated costs for two options: a new Valley High School and
a remodeled facility.
Remodel
Address code and safety issues in all areas
of the building
Renovation of heating, cooling and electrical systems
Possible new student commons and front entry
Refinish classrooms, media center, labs and some office space
Repair auditorium, swimming pool, fieldhouse and music areas
Some new furniture and equipment
Some additional parking and site work
Build New
New academic area including classrooms, labs,
media center
Technology upgrades
New kitchen and student commons
Performing arts center
Renovation of swimming pool, fieldhouse and music areas
Additional parking
Grading and landscaping
New furniture and equipment
Demolition of old building
After the referendum vote in March 2003, the Board
of Education began to re-examine the remodeling options. Discussion
focused on the best way to utilize the sales tax funds allocated
to the Valley High School remodeling project. Board members asked
for an alternate remodeling plan that placed more emphasis on new
space and applied key criteria and goals (see page one).
Remodel
Significant three-story addition constructed
on the northeast corner of Valley
Demolition of the media center and some existing academic space
Address code and safety issues throughout the building
Minimal renovation of the fieldhouse, pool and music area
Minimal renovation of the cafeteria and auditorium
Minimal renovation of the vocational education space
Minimal furniture and equipment
Quality standard for finishes comparable to Valley Southwoods
The Site Design Team is looking at benefits
and concerns related to the April 2003 remodeling plan. Based on
experience with projects involving a site design team, it is anticipated
that the final recommendation will vary from the previous options.
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