General
Why is APS building a new school to replace Georgia O'Keeffe? Isn't this money better spent on the West Side?
- • Georgia 0'Keeffe is a modular metal school built in 1988 with a life expectancy of 10 years. It is now 19 years since the school was built and 9 years past its designed life expectancy.
- • The maintenance of the school as a result of its age is not cost effective and is not prudent use of taxpayer money. It is a lot more cost effective to put in a permanent school. In addition, the taxpayers have approved this in the 2006 Special Bond Election.
- • APS is building 2 new high schools, 2 new middle schools, and 5 new elementary schools on the West Side over the next 5 years.
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How many students are currently attending Georgia O'Keeffe?
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How often will students and teachers be moved in these options?
- • Under option 1, students and teachers would move once (1) into the new school upon construction completion.
- • Under option 2A, students and teachers would move twice (2). First into portable buildings before construction, then into the new building upon construction completion.
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Will students still have access to a playground (swings, slides, etc.) and library in these options?
- • Under option 1, students would use the existing playground and library.
- • Under option 2A, the playground and library would be moved in order to make space for portable buildings. The playground and library would still be provided in option 2A; however, the details will need to be worked out.
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If option 2A is selected, where will the additional monies come from? Will the new school be the same in either option?
- • The budget for the actual school will be identical in both options.
- • Additional monies for any contingency during construction will be drawn from a special construction contingency fund, which is separate from the actual school construction budget.
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Process & Timeline
What is the process for approving this decision? Who will make the final decision?
- • Options have been provided to the community for public input.
- • Options will be narrowed down to one recommended option based on public input.
- • The recommended option will be reviewed with the APS superintendent and her leadership team.
- • APS superintendent will recommend an option to the Capital Outlay Committee (a subcommittee of the Board of Education).
- • Capital Outlay Committee will recommend an option to the full Board of Education.
- • Board of Education gives their final approval
- • APS and the city of Albuquerque will initiate the necessary agreements to use the adjacent park site, if necessary.
- • APS would like to have a final decision by the first week of December.
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When will this decision be made?
- • Options will be narrowed to one by first week of December. The recommended option would be brought before the Superintendent and Board of Education for final approval. The final decision should be approved before the end of the year.
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When will construction of the new school begin?
- • See the presentation for details on the timelines for the various options.
- • Actual construction will likely begin late 2008.
- • New school should open by 2010.
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How do we provide input on these options?
- • You may provide input to APS by:
- • E-mailing apsboundarycomment@aps.edu
- • Attending the Capital Outlay Committee meeting (subcommittee of the Board of Education)
- • Attending the Board of Education meeting
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Staff & Transfer Students
Will transfer students be affected by any of these options?
- • Current transfer students and their siblings will not be affected by any of these options.
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Will staff be reduced in any of these options?
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If more students were to move in district, pushing the student count over the current number, would transfer students be removed to "make room"?
- • The effect of construction on transfer students has been addressed above (i.e. current transfers and their siblings will not be affected by these options). For APS transfer rules that have nothing to do with the current situation (construction of a new school), please contact the APS Transfer Office at 855-9040.
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Would new transfers be allowed?
- • Current transfer students and their siblings will not be affected by any of these options.
- • New transfers will not be allowed during of the construction of the new school due to a fixed capacity.
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Would new transfers be allowed if they already have a sibling at Georgia O'Keeffe?
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Park
How much will it cost to build a new park in Option 1? How much will it cost to restore the park in Option 2A?
- &# It would cost approximately $1,190,000 to build a new park per the City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation Department.
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- • It would cost approximately $50,000 to restore the park in Option 2A.
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Will the new park be the same as the current park in Option 1?
- • Yes, the new park will be the same or better than the current park. The park will remain the same size.
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How long will the park be out of commission in Option 1?
- • The park will be out of commission during the construction of the new school and the new park. This will take approximately 18 months.
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How long will it take to restore the park in Option 2A?
- • In Option 2A, the eastern portion of the park would house temporary portable buildings. It would take approximately 6 months to remove these temporary buildings and restore the park to its original condition.
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In option 1, will the land exchange between APS and the City of Albuquerque prolong the time to construct the school?
- • The land exchange would not delay the construction of the school site as this activity can occur in parallel with the design of the new school.
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School Design
Will the school be a one- or two-story building?
- • This will be determined by the design process and the design committee once an option is chosen.
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Will the drainage easement north of the school be incorporated as part of the school site?
- • No heavy construction can take place on the drainage easement. However, there have been discussions of incorporating it into an open space or park area.
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How can I provide input on the design of the new school?
- • The principal will be forming a Building Committee to provide input on the design of the new school. You may request to be a member of the Building Committee or provide input directly to the Building Committee.
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