Claudia Peschiutta
DOWNTOWN - The cost of renovating and modernizing Crescenta Valley
High School has gone up, again.
It's been less than a month since the Glendale Board of Education was
asked to consider how to handle the rising cost of the project, which had
jumped to $41.9 million. At a meeting today, board members will face a
new price tag -- $45 million.
At least one board member was not surprised by the increase.
"What we have here is a project that has expanded by the failure of
the board and the staff to establish a cap," Pam Ellis said. "We are
budgeting to a plan, instead of planning to a budget."
The latest cost estimate includes more than $2 million in additional
"soft costs," such as testing and architect fees.
In the report, Steve Hodgson, assistant superintendent of business
services, recommended the board set a cap of $45 million on the project.
"It's unreal to cap it at $45 million. They won't stick to it," Ellis
said of her fellow board members.
Board President Lina Harper said Monday night she was not sure whether
she would support a funding cap.
"If you have one more item or an unforeseen item appears, do you not
finish that small portion because we've put a cap on it?" she asked. "A
top priority is that the project be completed with integrity."
The Crescenta Valley High renovation has become the most expensive
single project in the district's history. It includes plans for building
a library-media-career center, gym and adding several classrooms.
The report to be presented to the board recommends breaking the work
into multiple phases and outlines various project options and their
estimated costs.
One option includes not moving the school's entrance to Community
Avenue from Ramsdell Avenue. Another calls for not completing renovations
of two buildings.
Among possible cutbacks presented to the board for consideration at a
meeting in February were putting off the completion of classrooms in two
new buildings.
The three options being presented to the board this time around all
call for the completion of the classrooms. "This new proposal says,
'Let's complete those new buildings,"' said district spokesman Vic
Pallos. "The completion of those classroom buildings is paramount."
ON THE AGENDA
The Glendale Unified School District Board of Education will meet at
3:30 p.m. today in the administration center at 223 N. Jackson St. for
discussion, information and closed session. The board will meet at 7 p.m.
for acknowledgments, recognitions and consent and action items.
The board will discuss the following items:
* Construction and funding for the Crescenta Valley High School
renovation and modernization.
* Status report on Measure K projects.
* Budget development for the 2000-01 school year.
The board will receive information on the following items:
* Resignations.
* Elementary report card revision.
