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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

District 81 Preparing Bond Issue

A $70 million plan to improve Spokane public schools with every thing from new computers to dramatic renovations is a step closer to reality.

School board members asked administrators Wednesday for a detailed cost analysis of each project.

If they approve the wish list, taxpayers would likely see a bond issue on the ballot next February or March.

The most expensive project is a renovation of the downtown Lewis and Clark High School - an idea heavily supported in a recent series of public hearings, administrators said.

That’s projected to cost about $42 million, with about $17.5 million coming from state matching funds.

New computers for all District 81 schools and upgraded electrical systems to handle the technology would cost another $24 million or so.

Browne Elementary School, 5314 N. Driscoll, is slated for replacement under the plan, while Wilson Elementary, 911 W. 25th, stands to get a new annex.

The new Wilson wing would replace a 20-year-old annex that was designed to be temporary, said Principal Janet Gores. “The floor bounces,” she said. “It does have some drawbacks.”

Wilson parents persuaded administrators to replace the annex at a cost of about $1.4 million instead of renovating it for a third as much.

Superintendent Gary Livingston said the quick fix would be more expensive in the long run. “The next bond issue, would we be back to replace the temporary annex? The answer is, probably.”

A new project to help with parking and traffic flow at Cooper Elementary was recently added to the list.

“This is really a safety issue,” Livingston said. “You’ve got buses and cars and kids all in the same area.”

The recommendations also include an addition at North Central High School, 1600 N. Howard, and major renovation at Rogers High, 1622 E. Wellesley.

North Central’s expansion would include more physical education space and six classrooms.

Administrators say they don’t know exactly how much taxpayers will be asked to spend on the project.

It’ll probably be 45-47 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value -

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES ON WISH LIST Items and estimated costs that may be included in a Spokane School District 81 bond proposal next year include: Lewis and Clark High School renovation, $42 million. Technology improvements at all schools, $13.3 million. Upgrade electrical systems and retrofit schools for technology, $11.3 million. Rogers High School renovation, $5.95 million. North Central High School addition, $4.9 million. Browne Elementary School replacement, $7.7 million. Science room renovation at all high schools except Lewis and Clark, $1.5 million. Garry Middle School physical education addition and heating, ventilation and airconditioning improvements, $2.5 million. Library remodeling projects at Madison, Pratt and Wilson elementary schools, $600,000. Replace modular unit at Wilson Elementary School, $1.4 million. Site expansion/improvements at Adams and Indian Trail elementary schools, $400,000. Auditorium improvements at Ferris and Shadle high schools, $620,000. Intercom/phone/communication upgrades at all schools, $3 million. Instructional space expansion at several elementaries, $500,000. Emergency/inflation contingency, $500,000. Cooper Elementary parking and traffic flow improvements, $120,000.

Source: Spokane School District 81

This sidebar appeared with the story: TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES ON WISH LIST Items and estimated costs that may be included in a Spokane School District 81 bond proposal next year include: Lewis and Clark High School renovation, $42 million. Technology improvements at all schools, $13.3 million. Upgrade electrical systems and retrofit schools for technology, $11.3 million. Rogers High School renovation, $5.95 million. North Central High School addition, $4.9 million. Browne Elementary School replacement, $7.7 million. Science room renovation at all high schools except Lewis and Clark, $1.5 million. Garry Middle School physical education addition and heating, ventilation and airconditioning improvements, $2.5 million. Library remodeling projects at Madison, Pratt and Wilson elementary schools, $600,000. Replace modular unit at Wilson Elementary School, $1.4 million. Site expansion/improvements at Adams and Indian Trail elementary schools, $400,000. Auditorium improvements at Ferris and Shadle high schools, $620,000. Intercom/phone/communication upgrades at all schools, $3 million. Instructional space expansion at several elementaries, $500,000. Emergency/inflation contingency, $500,000. Cooper Elementary parking and traffic flow improvements, $120,000.

Source: Spokane School District 81