The Houston R-1 School Board has reached an agreement with Sapp Design Associates of Springfield to develop a proposal for potential construction of the district’s new high school.
Superintendent Dr. Dan Vandiver said that week that, “everything is in the pre-planning state.” The board has not voted to place any issues on the ballot, nor has the scope of any potential ballot issue been determined.
SDA will conduct interviews with district personnel through the first week of November to evaluate facility needs, develop plans and make recommendations to the school board. Vandiver said fees for SDA’s services are contingent upon the successful passage of a ballot issue.
The district’s last ballot issue – one for $3.5 million – was barely defeated in April, falling just three votes shy of passing. It called for a new library, computer and science labs, as well as additional classrooms at the site of the Fine Arts Building.
Vandiver, who was hired to replace outgoing superintendent Clinton Waters, started from scratch in assessing the district’s needs and in September provided the school board multiple options for improvement, including a new auditorium, gymnasium and all-weather track. The board approved a scaled-down version for solely a new high school building adjacent to Hiett Gymnasium with an estimated price tag of $7.5 million.
SDA was selected for the project following a process that began with the district sending request for proposals to more than 20 architectural firms across the state. Ten firms attended an informal meeting on the campus before submitting written proposals. The school board reviewed 10 proposals it received at its Oct. 13 meeting, and four firms were invited to a special meeting the following week for an approximately one-hour meeting.
SDA has extensive experience in designing school facilities, including projects in the Springfield and Nixa school districts. It recently built new school buildings in Clever, Fair Grove, Monett and Waynesville and has done work with Missouri State University and Evangel University.
Vandiver said the district, with SDA’s help, will be providing additional information and seeking community input prior to any final decision before the April election. More information about SDA and the district’s facility needs are available at the superintendent’s office.
The board has until Jan. 27 to place an issue on the April ballot.