INFORMATION #3 09-21-1998B-78
INFORMATION
Elk River Area Schools
Independent School District 728
A Summary of the
Comprehensive Facilities Master Plan
For Maintenance, Improvements and Construction
SEPTEMBER 1998
B-79 ·
Table of Contents
Introd uction/Pu rpose
Plan Components
The Planning Effort
Planning Assumptions
Current School Facilities
Current Enrollments
Enrollment ProjeCtions
Geographic Factors
Demographic Study
Growth Model
Facilities Construction Sequence
Financial Analysis
Summary
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Introduction
This Comprehensive Facilities Plan is the product of input by parents, administrators, principals,
teachers, staff, community members, the school board, and consultants over several years. This
summary represents the consolidation of many separate plans and strategies into one inte~jrated
document addressing facility needs within the Elk River Area School District. The Comprehensive
Facilities Plan is a guide for facilities improvements and the addition of new buildings. It does not
directly address changes in the educational programs, curriculum, or organizational policies.
Purpose
The main purpose of the plan is to recommend short and long-term physical improvements to existing
facilities and to anticipate where and when new facilities will be needed, The planning is driven by the
following nbeds:
· To coordinate all existing district facility plans
· To formalize the annual planning process
· To generate a long term financial plan for facilities.
This Comprehensive Facilities Plan is based on current facility conditions, educational philosophy,
district policies, and financial realities. It aims to provide schools in which learning, in safe and healthy
environments, for students, families and the community is the priority. The planning horizon is ten
years and the fiscal plan is for five years. The plan will be revised annually to reflect the latest
economic, political, and demographic conditions.
The Comprehensive Facilities Plan outlined in this summary provides ways to address the key facility
needs of the district, including:
New construction to provide learninq space for growing enrollments without over-building.
Between 1998 and 2005, we expect to add one new high school and two new elementary schools.
In addition the district must change grade configurations, at least temporarily;
2. Implement de._ferred maintenance projects to improve the quality of our existing facilities;
3. Increase routine maintenance funding to limit backlogs in the future and to reduce overall
maintenance costs in the long-term;
4. Upgrade all technoloqy systems focusing on infrastructure improvements and seek additional and
expanded funding to implement upgrades;
5. Address educational program Improvements through capital funding to enhance specific programs
according to annual district priorities;
6. Implement asset manaqement plans which consider the total costs (or savings) by replacing
properties which are not efficient.
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The Planning Effort
The Comprehensive Facilities Plan was developed by combining previous planning work with the on-
going and new efforts.
The past efforts have provided a solid basis for the plan. Some of these include:
· 1990 Review and Comment Plan,
· 1992 Long Range Facility Plan Update, and the
· 1996 Review and C.omment'Growth Model'
In addition, on-going plans have helped to define issues in specific areas including:
· Technology Plan
· ADA Accessibility Plan
· Fire Marshal Orders
· Indoor Air Quality Plan
· Five Year Maintenance Plan
· Energy Conservation Plan
New information has been prepared by:
· Establishing a set of initial planning assumptions,
· Touring each facility and listing needs in priority order,
· Studying economic and housing developments projected for the various areas within the
district,
· Reviewing proposed educational program changes,
· Projecting enrollment growth in specific areas within the district,
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Planning Assumptions
To guide the planning effort, assumptions related to the Mission Statement and Strategic Plan were
made to provide further clarity to the district's vision and goals. These are most important to the
success of the plan in that they set the standard by which the plan will be measured and judged. They
relate to facilities performance requirements, funding, and facilities management, and are closely inter-
related. Typically a change in one assumption will cause adjustments to one or more other
assumptions. The following assumptions were approved by the School Board on May 20,1998:
1. Facilities should be constructed in locations 8.
near student populations. Related issues
include length of bus ride and available
utilities.
o
The target size (number of students) for an
elementary school is 700, a junior high 800,
and a senior high 1500 students.
Temporary classrooms should be considered
an emergency measure and eliminated when
permanent classrooms can be constructed.
The traditional grade configurations of K-6, 7-
9, and 10-12 serve the district well. Other
grade configurations will be utilized to adjust
fo[ ever changing student populations and to
provide the best learning environment
available.
The district should offer year round education
and extended day as options for our students
and families. It would, however, be unwise to
devise a long term building plan based on year
round education at this time.
The best inst.ructional practices, including
teaming of students and teachers, should
direct building design.
A comprehensive educational program will
continue to be offered which emphasizes
academics, and incorporates the arts,
vocational and extra-curricular programs.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Total average enrollment will continue to grow
district-wide at approximately 5% per year for
the next 10 years.
Class sizes (number of students) should be
maintained at averages of 20 for grades K-5,
26-28 for grades 6-8, and 27 for grades 9-12.
(The'administration will develop guidelines for
other staff and an estimate of average
operating costs for schools)
New schools will be designed flexibility enough
to serve children well and also serve as
community resources.
Special education will be housed in facilities
throughout the district as appropriate.
The best technology available should be
incorporated into the construction of existing
and new facilities.
Construction of new facilities will be triggered
by several factors including anticipated
student population increases, new educational
programs, and deteriorating existing
conditions.
Debt capacity should be maintained at 20% or
lower.
The district is open to all community
partnerships including, but not limited to, those
for the pool, health care, and computer labs.
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Current School Facilities
Facility needs and plans to satisfy those needs are at the heart of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan.
Each existing building has been examined and the site teams prioritized their needs using safety and
educational prcgram goals as comparative factors. As needs change the plan will updated and new
actions taken as required.
The District presently operates 12 school buildings located in Rogers, Otsego, Elk River, and
Zimmerman as indicated on the map below. Otsego elementary opened in March of 1995, and the
new junior highs in Zimmerman and Rogers will open in fall 1998. Temporary classrooms have been
constructed at Rogers and Zimmerman Elementaries, at VandenBerge Junior High, and at the High
School. Our buildings have a combined value of over $110 million. The care of these facilities can be
viewed as an investment in our future educational programs.
ZIMMERMAN JUNIOR HIGH
25900 4th St. W., Zimmerman
, ZlMMERMAN ELEMENTARY
25959 4th St. W., Zimmer'man
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS FAClUTY
19072 Triangle Road, Elk River
MEADOWVALE ELEMENTARY
12701 Elk Lake Road, Elk River
SALK JUNIOR HIGH
11970 Highland Road, Elk River
IVAN SAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL
1232 NW School St., Elk River
COMMUNITY EDUCATION CENTER
1230 NW School St., Elk River
VANDENBERGE JUNIOR HIGH
948 Proctor Road, Elk River
ELK RIVER AREA SENIOR HIGH
900 School Street, Elk River
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY
600 School Street, Elk River
PARKER ELEMENTARY'
500 School Street, Elk River
HANDKE ELEMENTARY
1170 Main Street, Elk River
DISTRICT OFFICE
327 King Ave., Elk River
OTSEGO ELEMENTARY
8125 River Road NE., Otsego
ROGERS JUNIOR HIGH
20855 141 St., Rogers
ROGERS ELEMENTARY
12521 Main St., Rogers
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Current School Facilities (continued)
Work required at existing facilities is needed in the following areas:
· Routine Maintenance-Normal or cyc',ical work items,
· Deferred Maintenance-Items in excess of the annual maintenance budgets which is 'deferred' to the
point that it is now critical,
· Program Improvements-Changes to the building or site to accommodate educational program
changes,
· School Capacities-Building remodeling or.addition to accommodate enrollment increases,
· Technology Applications-infrastructure revisions to add or update technology systems
The table below indicates 1997-98 enrollments and current capacities at ea~;h facility. It indicates that
most build!ngs in the district are full and that the high school is over-crowded.
DISTRICT Building Current Design Capacity with
FACILITIES Area Enrollment Caoacitv Tem~3orarie§
ELEMENTARIE~ (without temps)1997 1998 1998
Handke Elementary 79,566 305 550 550
Lincoln Elementary 83,214 700 700 700
Meadowvale Elementary 83,500 663 700 700
OtseQo Elementary 82,500 732 700 700
Parker Elementary 62,000 623 700 700
Rogers Elementary 67,580 679 550 650
Zimmerman Elementary 73,926 833 700 800
Subtotal 4.535 4.600 4.800
JUNIOR HIGHS
Salk Junior High 156,677 1,040 810 810
VandenBerge Junior High 161,394 1,001 900 1,000
Ro_qers Junior High* 129,389 0 700 700
Z. immerman Junior High* 129,389 0 700 700
Subtotal 2.041 3.110 3,210
SENIOR HIGIt
Elk River Senior Hitch 263.892 1,714 1.450 1.550
Subtotal 1.714 1.450 1,550
~OTHER FACILITIES
Ivan Sand Community School 16,000
Buildings and Grounds Facility 12,900
ECFE @ Handke Elementary 4,966
Community Education Center 10,080
District Office 15,000
* OPENING FALL 1~
DISTRICT TOTALS 1,431,973 8,290 9,160 9,560
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Current Enrollments
Current enrollments by grade level for the year 1997/98 are shown in the graph below.
Since 1990, the kindergaden class has grown from 475 students to a high of 632 pupils in 1996. The
K-6 student totals have grown from .3,503 students in 1990 to a total of 4,535 students in 1997. Two
new elementary schools (Meadowvale and Otsego) were constructed during this period. Currently,
three elementary schools are crowded, and district-wide enrollment will soon use all remaining
classroom space. Thus, planning for new elementary space should begin as soon as possible.
Examination of the current Junior High programs indicates a growth from 1,368 students in 1990 to
2,041 in 1997. To accommodate this growth, Rogers and Zimmerman Junior High Schools are under
construction and will open in fall 1998.
Senior Higl~ enrollments have grown from 1,270 in 1990 to .1,714 in 1997 without any facility
expansions. As the two small classes (11th and 12th) graduate, they will be replaced with larger
classes. Relief from crowding at the senior high is a planning priority.
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
716
620 =~ .--.' 637 6_4.7 627 "!~"
__ mm I~ N~ ~ ~a :~ Leeg '[] ~ 621
~; ~ ~:- . ~ 560533
i
K I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
GRADE LEVELS
OCTOBER 1997 ENROLLMENTS
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Enrollment Projections
in the graph at the bottom of the page are the historical student populations for the years 1990 through
1997. From 1998 to 2008 enrollments are projected to grow at a rate of 5%. This will result in the
addition of over 2,600 students by the year 2002, and increase the average class size from 638
students today to 838 in 2002.
It is clear that class sizes will surge beyond the current school capacities and additional space
must be provided for such requirements.
The District also recognizes the increasing program needs for pre-kindergarten and special education.
Special student population projections must be incorporated into the analysis of existing and future
space needs.
Projections have been made using economic and housing development information from the various
cities and townships in the district.
14,000
12,000
13,11~1
10,90~.11
1997/98
GROWTH TREND LINE~,,~ 8,290 ~~ I I
~'~ 1'!i I I
5599 ~ ~
IIIll I I-II I I
IIIll I III I I
E
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
ACTUAL ENROLLMENTS ~...~_.~ PROJECTED ENROLLMFNTR
ri
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Geographic Factors
Because of the district's large size, north-south orientation, and shape, there are unique challenges.
The Crow, Elk, and Mississippi Rivers divide the district. In addition, major highways (10, 101, 94, &
169) criss-cross the district. It contains portions of Wrlght, Anoka, Isanti, Sherburne and Hennepin
Counties, all or part of seven cities and six townships. We have significant student populations in four
counties: Anoka, Hennepin, Sherburne, and Wright. Two of the counties (Hennepin and Anoka) are in
the seven county Twin Cities Metro Area and thus subject to control by the Metropolitan Council. The
combination of Iow land cost and access to high quality highways and freeways is appealing to local
and regional developers.
inceton
ago ~ '~'
.L.
ELK
SCHO( ...
BOUND
_,..: -'eCedar
Pirl~s
Mtnnetonka Beaohe
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Demographic Study
The district is located in a population and commercial development 'growth corridor' between the Twin
Cities and St. Cloud. This corridor is a high demand area for housing sites to serve the northwest
sector of the '['win Cities. Also, witl~ :nterstate h;ghway 1-94 as its main access route, parts ot the district
is ideal for commercial development. Studies have indicated that growth along the "corridor" will
probably exceed that of adjacent areas.
Demographic studies for the District indicate that population growth continues in all areas at differing
rates. In addition, some communities are revising land use plans and extending water and sewer
utilities. These factors will temper or accelerate the need for new facilities.
To better analyze demographic changes, the district has been divided intc fo'~r 'attendance areas' as
indicated on the map below. Each area contains a unique set of criteria relating to economic
development and enrollment growth. For example, while Zimmerman and Rogers have more open
land ideal for single family developments, Elk River, with its utilities in place may tend to develop more
multi-family dwellings. Our experience indicates that for each single-family house constructed, one
student is added to the District, and that for each two multi-family units a student is added.
The specific growth patterns for each area have resulted in area-sensitive enrollment and facilities
projections as part of the overall Comprehensive Facilities Plan.
North
West'
East
South
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Growth Model
The primary goal of the Comprehensive Facilities Plan is to provide well-maintained existing academic
and. support spaces and to add space as necessary. These needs will be met by the renovation of
existing buildings and the construction of new facilities.
Between 1998 and 2005, schools will be added. In addition, grade configurations will be changed, at
least tempOrarily, to make efficient use of our existing facilities
In the 1997-98 school year, the district operated six K-6 elementary schools, one 1-6 magnet school,
two 7-9 junior high schools and a 10-12 high school. By the year 2005, we expect to have eight
elementary schools, four junior high schools and two high schools, one north and one south of the
Mississippi.
Until the new high school and two new elementary schools can be constructed, the junior high schools
will be used to solve space problems in grades 5 through 10. The current plan calls for a move from
the existing K-6, 7-9, 10-12 organization to one that has a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 organization as its basic
pattern, at least for the short term.
The long term growth model for the district is diagrammed below. This School Board approved model
proposes a district with two high schools, four junior highs, and ten elementary schools.
EXISTING
HIGH SCHOOL
FUTURE
SECONDARY
SCHOOL
tZIMMERMAN
JUNIOR
HIGH
SALK
JUNIOR
HIGH
VANDEN.
ROGERS
BERGE
JUNIOR JUNIOR
HIGH
HIGH
TWO HIGH SCHOOLS
FOUR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS
TEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
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Facilities Construction Sequence
The Comprehensive Facilities Planning effort has led to a proposed sequence of construction to
accommodata enrollment ~rowth and maintain existing facilities over tha n~xt ten years. The dates
indicated below represent the most aggressive schedule possible for occupancy of each facility or
addition. Costs have been inflated to represent the year of each expenditure. While two referendums
are shown, the completion of ali items is critical to the continued success of our educational programs.
FACILITIES CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE
(Based on enro~Fment projections approved by the School Board)
REFERENDUM #1: SPRING OR FALL 1999
2001/02
2003/04
2000/01
2000/01
2000/01
2000/01
2002/03
NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
NEW HIGH SCHOOL (1,500 Students)
DEFERRED MAINTENANCE (Priority 1)
NEW TECHNOLOGY
EXPANSIONS AT ROGERS AND
ZIMMERMAN ELEMENTARIES
ADDITIONS/REMODELING/FINE ARTS
CENTER AT EXISTING HIGH SCHOOL
EXPANSION AT ROGERS JR HIGH
REFERENDUM #2: FALL 2001
$ 9,677,839
$42,324,426
$ 2,859,216
$ 1,089,065
$ 2,099,200
$ 9,883,141
$ 3,304,982
$71,237,869
2002/03
2002/03
2002/03
2002/03
2005/06
2005/06
DEFERRED MAINTENANCE (Priority 2,3,4)
PARKER ELEMENTARY ADDITION
AND REMODELING
VANDENBERGE IMPROVEMENTS
"DISTRICT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
WAREHOUSE ADDITION AT BUILDINGS
AND GROUNDS FACILITY
$ 2,409,112
$ 2,197,835
$ 5,279,070
$ 1,301,061
$10,661,695
$ 947~706
$22,796,479
At this time, year round school will not be implemented in ways that reduce the need for classroom
space.
This plan will be presented to the public for review and comment in the late summer and throughout fall
of 1998
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Financial Analysis
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Summary
The Comprehensive Facilities Plan outlined in this surnmary provides strategies to address the key facility
n~,eds of the district, including:
Continue construction to provide capacity need,~ for the future without over-building; retain some
temporaries to balance the needs. Between 1998 and 2005, we expect to add one new high school
and two new elementary schools. In addition the district must change grade configurations, at least
temporarily;
2. Implement deferred maintenance projects to improve the quality of our existing facilities;
3. Increase routine maintenance funding to limit backlogs in the future and to reduce overall
maintenance costs in the long-term;
4. Upgrade all technoloqy systems focusing on infrastructure improvements; seek additional and
expanded funding to implement upgrades;
5. Address physical pro~ram improvements through capital funding to enhance specific programs
according to annual district priorities;
6. Implement asset manaqement plans which consider the total costs (or savings) by replacing
properties which are not efficient.
The Comprehensive Facilities Plan suggests the following recommendations for approval:
1. Comprehensive Facilities Plan
Approve work to date on the Comprehensive Facilities Plan and authorize publication of the
Facilities Construction Sequence for community consideration.
New Schools
Authorize land acquisition and planning work for a new high school and two new elementary
schools.
o
Deferred Maintenance Proqram
Authorize-implementation of deferred maintenance backlog reduction program beginning in
fiscal year 1999; dollar amount to be reviewed as part of final capital financing plan
development.
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