One of the likely reasons the buildings listed in Struxture’s report are so much larger is the fact the dedicated spaced are intended to be part of the design ( ACSD School Board Mtg – 10-24-11 – Exhibit D-1 – Presentation by Struxture Architects starting on page 9). Though we aren’t to the design stage of work yet, this notion was confirmed by the recent operating cost information.
In the notes at the bottom of the page of the latest cost by building size ( Incremental Operating Costs – Updated 01-05-12 ) , there is specific reference to two types of spaces – educational and non-educational.
The non-educational spaces include:
- Gymnasium
- Cafeteria
- Kitchen
- Offices
- Mechanical
Educational spaces included classrooms/space for:
- Special Education
- English Language Learners
- Accelerated Learning Programming
- Art
- Music
With the addition of these dedicated spaces, the “flex” rooms will be available to be used to handle “bubble” classes. That is, grades where there are significantly higher numbers of students within a building. For example, we currently have 3-unit schools with enough kids to have 4-sections of a grade.
Currently, there is competition for the “flex” rooms created when the 6th grade moved to the middle school . Classroom space is at a premium, as witnessed by the addition of two modular classrooms this past year.
As shown in the Nov 14, 2011 student count, there were 8 “bubble” classes. With 13 units of school, this means 5 classrooms are now being used for other purposes. These 5 classrooms alone could provide an additional 125 ( 5 classrooms x 25 students ) seats of capacity.
The use of dedicated spaces in new/newly remodeled schools should free up of these spaces and greatly add to both capacity and flexibility.
Dr. Dave
