EV Maintenance Considering Move

East Valley School District’s maintenance department might soon have a new home.

The school board recently approved a two-year lease that will enable the department to move from its present home at 22300 E. Wellesley to spacious new quarters at 18202 E. Euclid.

The lease is being reviewed by the building’s owner, Bill Wagstaff, but school officials are optimistic.

“I think it’s very positive,” said Dan McQueary, director of support services for the district.

Rent would be $1,650 per month for two years, with an option for a one-year extension. The lease also leaves open the possibility that the district could purchase the building after the lease ends, McQueary said.

The five-person department now shares space with transportation workers.

A private assessment of the East Wellesley building revealed that it would cost the district at least $150,000 to bring it up to code, with installing bathrooms as the biggest expense, McQueary said.

“(Bringing the building up to code) was way in excess of what we felt we could lease a building for,” he said.

In 3,100 square feet, the department’s present home houses welding, carpentry and paint shops, as well as offices. The new building is 5,060 square feet and includes a 53,000-square foot fenced-in equipment yard.

The department now has about 2,000 square feet of equipment space, McQueary said.

The new building also is more centralized within the district, he said, and will reduce travel time between sites.

“We really see a cost saving,” he said, “and it’ll be a better work environment for employees.”