Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
The Colfax School District conducted a public meeting April 11 to discuss the $250,000 security and capital improvements levy on ballots now.
Supt. Michael Morgan spoke to a small crowd at the Jennings Elementary library. He said the project would remodel the Jennings entrance and add electronic doors to Jennings and the high school. Other items in the project include security cameras and replacing an eroding sidewalk in front of the elementary school.
With architect Laurence Rose of Design West in Pullman sitting at a table nearby, Morgan pointed out the changes on a map of Jennings.
“The idea of the project is to update things that are starting to deteriorate,” he said.
Telling of the single-plate glass and wood-framed doors and windowcases of the 1953 elementary building, he said the project’s goal is to last.
“We wanted to make sure these are investments for a long time, not just the short term,” Morgan said, adding that the new windows would save energy and maintenance costs.
The electronic doors for Jennings would be installed at the playground entrance and the main entrance, along with an interior door to close off a hallway. The locked hallway would be for security purposes, while allowing people to walk between the two gyms without having to go outside.
Jennings’ new doors would all open electronically at scheduled times such as recess and physical education classes.
All school doors still would be able to be exited at any time.
At the high school, a total of three electronic locks would be installed. One will be at the south end, one at the north end of the gym and one at the front entrance.
There would also be security cameras if the levy passes.
“We want to put a backbone of a camera system in,” said Morgan. “If in the future we’re able to get grants, we can add more to the system.”
There are two existing security cameras at Colfax High School. One is in the gym near the locker room doors and outside the gym facing the parking lot.
As far as remodeling the Jennings’ main entrance to route visitors through the office, a door would be added with new cabinetry to direct people straight to staff members to check them in.
Morgan said that the majority of the levy’s $250,000 would be taken up by the new doors and windowframes.
He was asked about the time frame for the project.
“We think that it would be done by the end of summer,” he said.
Jennings principal Tom Arlt commented about the proposals for the elementary school.
“The biggest issue is the entrance is blind,” he said. “You cannot see anyone come in or out.”
Since the tragedy at Newtown, Conn., in December, Jennings staff members have monitored building doors, adding up to four to six staff hours per day, said Arlt.
Taking more questions from the public, Morgan was asked if this is a capital improvement levy or a security levy.
“It’s really both,” he said.
Another question came about metal detectors.
Morgan answered that metal detectors are particularly expensive, but this proposal is structured to allow for future additions.
“This allows us to add those kinds of features at a later time,” Morgan said.
Bulletproof glass was also brought up, and Morgan said that is another high-cost item which doesn’t necessarily guarantee safety.
“We learned in Connecticut it didn’t matter,” he said, referring to security features at Sandy Hook Elementary.
“I’m really caught on this,” Morgan continued. “We’re trying to create a welcome environment in the schools but we’re putting in all this that says you’re not welcome.”
All told, the levy adds up to 72 cents per $1,000 in assessed property value, which would all be collected in 2014.
If passed, Morgan said that the window frames and doors would be replaced first, followed by the remodeling of the Jennings office.
Built in 1953, Jennings Elementary was remodeled in 1992, when changes were made to exterior walls, classroom space was added and heating/venting systems were enhanced along with roof design.
Ballots must be postmarked by April 23.
Colton School District’s $5.6 million 30-year bond proposal is also up for a vote. Proposed changes include a new entryway, gravel parking lot and upgrades in heating, air conditioning, gym facilities, electrical and plumbing. This is the third time the Colton school board has put the upgrade proposal in front of the district voters.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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