Construction projects estimated to cost around $ 6.4 million are being proposed for several Rim of the World schools by the district's architects, with much of the work to start by summer 2012.

At a school board workshop held Nov. 3 at the district's office in Blue Jay, Charlene Yarnall and David Bell, principals with PJHM Architects of Laguna Hills, gave trustees an update on the status of existing construction projects, and a vision of what work remains at several schools.

While some minor finish work remains at Rim of the World High School, Yarnall said, and an asphalt repaving project near the football field needs to be reviewed, most of the modernization work at the site is completed.

But it was the next phase of Rim schools construction and modernization that was the focus of their presentation.

Yarnall and Bell explained that the next phase of modernizing schools could include the following:

• A $400,000 electrical service upgrade at Valley of Enchantment Elementary School.

• Roughly $536,000 for playground upgrades at Charles Hoffman Elementary School, Lake Arrowhead Elementary School and the Valley of Enchantment kindergarten area.

• Just over $745,000 for repaving the play area at Charles Hoffman Elementary School.

•  About $300,000 for garage modifications.

•  Around $250,000 for a renewable energy project at Rim High School.

The Rim High School renewable energy project would include both solar panels and wind turbines, and not only would feed electrical power into Southern California Edison's power grid, but serve as a science project platform for the high school's physics and science classes and environmental club. (See related story on page A8. )

Additionally, Yarnall and Bell said the biggest modernization project still facing the district, roughly $4.2 million to upgrade Mary Putnam Henck Intermediate School, also could start in summer 2012.

The proposed construction would include installing a working fire alarm system for the school, something it currently lacks, and which all other Rim schools have.

MPH's fire alarm system hasn't worked for several years due to electrical issues. The school currently uses a county fire marshal-approved program of fire drills and fire watches.

Additional modernization work being proposed at MPH includes installing permanent walls to replace the partitions now being used, as well as other major upgrades, Yarnall said.

The work would be so extensive that the district would need to strategize on how the facility would continue meeting the students' educational needs during construction.

"Maybe the district would need to use portable classrooms, for example, because there's too much work to be completed during the summer," Yarnall said.

She estimated the modernization work would take 16 to 18 months.

Board approval for the MPH modernization, as well as for the other projects being proposed to start by next summer, would need to be made at the Nov. 17 school board meeting, she said.

Additionally, Yarnall briefed the board on remaining modernization projects.

She told the board that the list included:

• Charles Hoffman Elementary School: $1.2 million

• Grandview Elementary School: $1 million

• Lake Arrowhead Elementary School: $1.485 million

• Valley of Enchantment Elementary School (including a new wing): $5.67 million

• District-wide technology upgrades: $2 million

The total for the remaining projects would be around $11.4 million, Yarnall said.

Funding for all the additional modernization work will come from about $1.5 million left over from earlier Measure W bond series, about $10.6 million from new Series C bond sales, and $6.6 million from state funds.

Yarnall said she estimates the district will have about $18.2 million available in modernization funds.

"In order to implement the work recommended for 2012, board direction is required as soon as possible," she said. "With the exception of the MPH modernization, the proposed recommended projects would be constructed over the summer of 2012."

The board is expected to take up the architect's recommendations at its Nov. 17 meeting, to be held at the Rim High School library, starting at 6:30 p.m.

SOURCE:  Mountain-News.com