Grantfork, Alhambra schools renovating entrances to beef up security
Entrances to Alhambra and Grantfork schools will be renovated in the coming year for additional security, among other school construction projects pending.
The Alhambra and Grantfork schools will have new entrances with additional security, which has been a pending project for some time.
“The purpose is not to limit access to our parents, but provide entrances that secure our building from unwanted advances by persons wanting to do harm,” District 5 Superintendent Mike Sutton wrote in a letter to parents earlier this month.
The Highland District 5 school board is also evaluating options for long-standing issues at Highland Primary School. Students currently must travel between buildings for activities such as lunch, physical education, music and the library, among others.
“We have been reviewing possibilities to bring all students at the primary level under one roof to provide the safety and security that we should all agree is imperative,” Sutton wrote. “In doing so, we must either renovate or build an addition to the current structure, or build a new school.”
Nearly two years ago, Highland conducted a feasibility study on its school buildings that recommended a list of improvements ranging from expanding the primary school to adding a performing arts center at the high school.
In addition to splitting students at Highland Primary between two buildings, Highland Middle is overcrowded: the library is often used as a classroom and there are limited STEM and special needs classrooms with no vocational areas. The potential project was put on hold in 2020 due to the pandemic.
However, in January, the district refinanced its bonds to save interest and help fund renovations and life-safety projects, including new parking lots, sewer and storm drain upgrades and other improvements at the high school.
Sutton said the district leaders are reviewing several options, and is asking families and community members to provide feedback in a series of “community engagement opportunities,” which he said are intended to allow families to voice their opinions and to limit the “false information that may surface as we navigate these issues.”
“I am really excited about the possibility of talking with our families and community members about how we can accomplish our goals in a cost-effective and financially responsible way,” Sutton said.
The school board expected to hold a special board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15, to further discuss the strategic plan and district building needs. The meetings are held in person at the administrative center and broadcast live on YouTube.
In other news, COVID infections through the school remain low. Highland schools reported three new cases as of Nov. 5 and 11 quarantines. Highland High School had another week with no cases or exposures.
This story was originally published November 15, 2021 at 9:26 AM.