Residents float ideas for easing crowded schools

A meeting to gather public input on options for housing future Central Valley School District children drew a variety of ideas last week – including leasing space from neighboring East Valley.

About 36 people attended the CVSD “Community Conversations” at Greenacres Middle School last Thursday. CVSD administrators predict that with the current growth rate, the district would be at capacity by fall 2008.

Following a district overview, people broke into small groups to discuss ideas on expanding the capacity of school facilities.

Participants at each table were asked for their suggestions. Among them: using portable classrooms, leasing space from the East Valley School District or a municipality, and closing all of the district schools to choice, including the alternative Barker High and K-8 Summit schools.

Some people expressed concerns that multitrack or year-round proposals would disrupt family and work schedules, although one group suggested offering a year-round track at one school as a choice. Other suggestions: working with the state to allow expanded use of the old University High School, shifting the Able Learners gifted program to free space, looking closer at maximizing space at all buildings, charging developers impact fees, seeking corporate donations and clustering early grades at one site.

“The kindergarten center seems to be working really well. Would opening one in another part of the district help?” Liberty Lake resident Gail Pennestri asked during the discussion.

Portables was an option for many groups. “I think most people want their students in their own communities,” one participant said.

Others worried that any proposal to shift students to rented East Valley space might lessen the neighborhood feel for students and families, and one suggestion to redistrict the Liberty Lake area into East Valley drew some sharp responses.

“So you’d take someone currently in the CV and put them in East Valley?” Pennestri asked. “I’m personally strongly opposed to it. First of all, you’d lose some lucrative tax dollars. People bought into this district for a reason, and I think that’s unfair.”

At the same table, Dan Rash said consideration of redistricting could be on a voluntary basis for residents in the outer boundaries of Central Valley near East Valley. “Maybe if it’s a choice basis, it might work for people on the boundaries.”

Another participant said that when she lived in Minnesota, “people were constantly changing the boundaries” of districts.

There were several lingering comments about the failure of recent bond proposals for new construction in the district.

“Elderly residents, many are on fixed incomes and can’t afford a tax increase,” one resident said.

Others described elaborate features and design work included in recent construction at the district’s two high schools.

“There are too many bells and whistles” in schools, said Marcia Dorwin, who later described state-of-the-art theaters and weight rooms. Two others at her table echoed concerns about fancy architectural features and windows in recent school construction. “Do those need to be there?” asked Lani Gumm, of Liberty Lake.

Gumm also said Liberty Lake residents are not asking for the rapid growth from new housing developments. “It’s just happening.”

“Even if you collect $1,500 per home from developers, it’s not enough to build a school,” she said. However, she added it’s something that should be done to demonstrate that district administrators have done everything they can to address growth.

“It adds credibility to the school district if it at least collects.”

Gumm said she wasn’t sure she heard many new ideas at the session, except a willingness to consider renting space from the nearby East Valley School District, which has a declining student population.

“It feels like we’re fighting the same battles,” she said.