The new school being planned just south of Bayfield Mid School is being designed to meet LEED Gold energy efficiency standards, Superintendent Troy Zabel told the school board on Nov. 17.
District staff and the architect have been going over the list of things that qualify for LEED Gold certification, he said. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Certification is through the U.S. Green Building Council.
Certification is based on a point system, Zabel said. "You need at least 60 points. Which ones do we know we will get? Which are maybes? We're pretty close to the 60, but we know we won't get all the points. We do a cost-benefit analysis on what it takes to get each point. It's a very extensive process."
The district plans to seek voter approval for a bond issue in November 2016 to build the new school for grades 3-5 and do major renovations on the current elementary school built in the mid to late 1980s. The district also will apply for a Colorado Department of Education BEST grant to pay part of the cost of the new school.
"We have to try to get the LEED certification to be eligible for the BEST grant," Zabel said. Doing that "has definite ramifications on the cost of the building, but if we get 30 percent of the cost through the BEST grant, it's worth it."
A BEST grant paid part of the cost of Ignacio's new elementary school. IES received LEED Gold certification this month.
Zabel said the architect is working with FCI Constructors to refine cost estimates as the district goes for the BEST grant, what qualifies for the grant and what doesn't. "There are off-site things that can be considered for the BEST grant if they are essential for the project," he said and advised that the Dec. 9 board meeting will have a lot more details about all this.
The district's design advisory committee met on Nov. 17, Zabel said. "We went through all that with them. We've interviewed all teachers, food service staff. The plans are up in the buildings. There's a suggestion box for the new school and renovations to K-2" at the old BES.
Zabel acknowledged that some staff aren't happy with how the grades are being divided up. "Some want two K-5 schools," he said.
Board member Carol Blatnick noted the plans have to come together quickly for the BEST grant application.
Zabel said the application period opens in January, and applications are due in February. "I think we have a good strong case, but there's no guarantee. There's only so much money in the pot," he said. "It could depend on the number and amount of requests."
The share of project cost covered by the grant varies by district according to each district's assessed valuation and ability to pay for the project, he said. "We have a very high assessed valuation, so that changes the formula for us."
Zabel also advised that he would be meeting with the Colorado Department of Transportation and Town Manager Chris La May about the Highway 160 north side access at the east end of town that the town has wanted for many years to reduce congestion at the Commerce Drive/ 160 access. The 40 acres that the school district bought for the new school was previously proposed for residential development that was stymied for years for lack of the new east end access.
