Architects unveiled the first sketches of design proposals for construction at Medford's two high schools Thursday, drawing a mixed response from parents.
The plans for South Medford and North Medford high schools, still in their infant stages, focus on energy efficiency, bringing sunlight into buildings and creating inviting indoor and outdoor spaces for pupils to congregate and study.
"We are very concerned about equity (between schools) and have been all along," said Medford School Board President Larry Nicholson. "I think what you'll see is two equitable schools."
The projects are part of a $189 million bond package voters approved in November.
The package also involves renovations, upgrades or repairs at the Medford School District's 16 other campuses.
Advertisement | |
North Medford High, a complex of 11 separate buildings on some 61 acres, will be refurbished with new roofing, siding, paint, flooring, lighting and heating, air-conditioning and ventilation systems.
The proposal calls for adding a student study lounge with natural lighting and a bar of eight classrooms to the library. The new space would equal about 15,000 to 20,000 square feet. The lounge would face the courtyard connecting the gym, auditorium and cafeteria, creating a centrality in the campus, now lacking, architects said. The cafeteria would be remodeled to create a more inviting commons area by removing three classrooms that now bisect it.
Portland-based Mahlum Architects are designing both high schools, with local partner Ashland-based Architectural Design Works assisting in programming and permits.
District officials recently scrapped an earlier plan, advertised during the bond campaign, to demolish four of North Medford's buildings and construct a centralized, two-story structure after engineers confirmed the buildings were structurally sound. District officials said they see the change as a responsible way to save money after engineering evaluations revealed costs for most bond projects will be greater than anticipated.
"Our intention is to maximize the investment taxpayers made," said Medford schools Superintendent Phil Long, who said the district is accelerating some projects to curb inflation costs.
Some parents expressed displeasure at the existing proposal for North Medford.
Anne Kummer, a parent and a district employee, said the plans for North Medford don't match the district's sales pitch for the bond measure.
"We need more North Medford parents in arms," said Kummer, who said she was surprised at the lack of response of parents over the change in plans for the North Medford project.
In October, a facilities planning committee estimated about $50.5 million would be earmarked for North Medford and $63.5 million, for South Medford. The cost for the North Medford project is now estimated at more than $30 million. Nicholson said about one-third of that will go toward new construction and two-thirds, toward refurbishing the campus. Nicholson, also a parent of North Medford pupils, said he felt parents' concerns would fade once they see the final product.
South Medford's project costs will be about $79 million, in part because of wetland restrictions and road construction.
"I'm disappointed about what North is getting out of this bond measure," said parent Molly Torrey, who said she would have voted against the measure had she known the North Medford project would be trimmed.
"We didn't feel North got the short end of the stick," said South Medford parent Catherine Henrichs, after viewing the drawings "We felt the new designs looked more equitable than the existing campuses."
She commended district officials for handling the bond money responsibly, particularly by trying to cut down on inflation costs.
Reach reporter Paris Achen at 541-776-4459 or pachen@mailtribune.com.
