Taxpayers Ready To Update Cv, U-Hi?

Thu., Oct. 9, 1997

By Marny Lombard marnyl@spokesman.com (509) 927-2166

The Central Valley School Board wants to know if taxpayers are ready to make improvements to the district’s two middle-aged high schools.

At a work session last month, the board asked staffers to ask the community for feedback to the idea of renovating or rebuilding Central Valley and University high schools.

Central Valley was built in 1952; U-Hi in 1962. Both schools have had some work done over the years, but wiring, heating, cooling and insulation are all outdated by decades worth of new technology.

“We do a good job on the care and maintenance of our facilities, so the buildings do look good from the outside,” said Gary Hann, board chairman. What needs changing is on the inside, he said.

“I think that we need to look at our facilities in terms of their adequacy for … the year 2000 and beyond,” said Central Valley School District Superintendent Wally Stanley.

Space in the high schools is another issue. The board wants to move ninth graders into the two high schools, so that the junior highs can become middle schools. Stanley said he believes Central Valley apparently is the last school district in Spokane County to keep ninth-graders in with younger students.

The board has plenty of decisions to make: If the public is supportive of work on the high schools, when should a bond election be scheduled? Next spring, or the spring after?

Should a new U-Hi be built on district land at Pines and 32nd? Or should U-Hi undergo renovations and remain at its site, which has long been considered too small?

The issue of upgrading the district’s two high schools is not new. In the last 10 years, four bond elections addressing high school improvements failed to capture either the needed supermajority or a strong enough overall voter turnout. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: CARE TO COMMENT? What do you think? Should the Central Valley School District upgrade Central Valley and University high schools? To comment, call Cityline at 458-8800 Ext. 9867. Please speak clearly and include your name and daytime phone number.

This sidebar appeared with the story: CARE TO COMMENT? What do you think? Should the Central Valley School District upgrade Central Valley and University high schools? To comment, call Cityline at 458-8800 Ext. 9867. Please speak clearly and include your name and daytime phone number.