Thanks to all your efforts over the last nine months, it appears likely that the question of what to do about the high school's pools WILL BE PUT TO A VOTE in a referendum this fall! It seems the school board also realizes the importance of on-campus, off-street parking; the plan includes a new parking garage with the aquatics facility. WE MUST STAY ON TOP OF THIS ISSUE.

 

The next step is for D200 to finalize the facility plans for Option B, the cost and its funding mechanism (by Aug 16) Send your thoughts via e-mail to BOE@oprfhs.org. We will continue to advocate for the PRAGMATIC POOL SOLUTION. While we are disappointed that a more expensive option was chosen that takes down the existing garage, it is encouraging that the majority of the community agrees with our position, according to the public opinion phone survey (LINK) conducted by a professional research company commissioned by the high school. PLEASE STAY INVOLVED.

 

NOTE: At the D200 School Board meeting on MONDAY, AUG 1 the board announced it has chosen Option B. This option tears down the current parking garage and replaces it with a smaller garage and an 8-lane, 40-meter pool. See this LINK to the agenda for that meeting - it contains further links to specific documents with lots of additional details on the three options: https://intranet.oprfhs.org/board-of-education/board_meetings/Special_Meetings/Agendas/2016-17%20Special/20160801%20SPEC%20Agenda.pdf

FINAL DECISION Might Be Announced MONDAY, AUG 1

There is an important school board meeting on MONDAY, AUGUST 1 beginning approximately 6:15 PM (after closed session that starts at 6 PM) - See agenda below. Those not attending can email their comments and concerns to boe@oprfhs.org - Also, here is a LINK to the agenda. It contains further links to specific documents and reports mentioned in the agenda which give lots of additional information. 

 UPDATE - SPECIAL BOARD MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 28 TO REVIEW POOL OPTIONS

Thursday, July 28 at 6:00 PM at the High School is a Special Meeting of the D200 School Board - the primary issue on the agenda is the swimming pool. Public comment is welcome. If you are unable to attend this meeting, you may send your comments to BOE@oprfhs.org. Here's the AGENDA:

For a complete history of this issue since the petition for referendum forced the high school to reevaluate its options, follow this LINK to our facebook page with a summary of events since last December. 

 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMMUNITY MEETINGS SOLICITED FEEDBACK ON THREE POOL OPTIONS

Once again, the D200 School Board is hosting community meetings to present the three options under consideration for pool and facility improvements.  These are:

• $22 million to REBUILD the two current pools, while maintaining the existing parking garage

• $42 million to BUILD a NEW parking garage structure that will include a new pool

• $50 million to BUILD a new UNDERGROUND structure for a new pool, maintaining the existing parking garage

• ALL options include a competition-sized pool plus additional improvements and/or expansion of existing instructional spaces, most notably for the performing arts (music and theater) with total costs (for the pool and facilities upgrades) estimated to range from  $39 million to $64 million. For DETAILS of the pool & facilities options, see the chart at this LINK

The meetings are scheduled for TUESDAY, JULY 19 at 7:00 PM at OPRFHS and WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 at the PRIORY Campus of Dominican University - Aula Auditorium (here's a LINK with a map) The meetings are expected to last about 2 hours, with the same format followed each night.  Please attend and share your thoughts if possible.  If you are not able to attend, please let the School Board know your concerns by sending an e-mail to: BOE@oprfhs.org.  The board has also contracted with a market research company to do a telephone survey during that same week in an effort to reach additional community members.

The goal is for the board to have the information it needs to make a decision on a final option at its meeting on Monday, August 1.  At that time it will also determine how to finance the project  and what portion will be bonded and what will come from reserves.  On August 16 they will discuss the wording of the referendum question.  The final DEADLINE by which the referendum question must be submitted in order to appear on the ballot in November is Monday, August 22.

June 30 BoE meeting continues the discussion from 6/23

            The D200 Board of Ed has added a special meeting for THURSDAY, JUNE 30 with public comment beginning at 6:30 PM - in part this continues some of the discussion from the June 23rd meeting.  The full agenda for 6/30 has been posted at this LINK and includes an updated Decision Timeline (LINK) as well as the Program Verification document referenced in the images below.  
                Here are the primary topics listed on the agenda: *Decision Timeline (see below)  *Present Pool Verification Program   *Discuss Facilities Plan Comparison Chart   *Motion to Move Facilities Plan to Community Meetings   *Additional Information Requests
               At the June 23rd meeting, board members had questions for Legat about the various plans, now known as A, B & C, and how they each integrate with the Long Term Facilities Plan as well as how they fit into the Pool Program Verification document prepared by Legat in September 2015 for the original natatorium proposal on the site of the parking garage.   
            Plan A is the pragmatic plan.  It is the least expensive, leaves the existing parking garage and rebuilds two pools inside the Field House.  Plan B calls for removing the existing parking garage and rebuilding a new pool building and parking structure.  Plan C also leaves the existing parking garage and places the pool building underground.  Here's a LINK to an abridged 18 page version of the full 40+ page document.
             Here are a few images taken from the Pool Program Verification document - keep in mind it was prepared for the original plan to build a 50 meter pool.  Please also see the POST from 6/23 for links to important information presented at that meeting (LINK).  The final image shows the Decision-making Tmeline.