Joseph Gale neighbors meet to learn about construction bond

Architectural renderings of proposed school available at meeting

The Forest Grove News-Times, Jul 28, 2010

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Everything homeowners in the Joseph Gale Elementary School area want to know about the coming construction bond for a new school in their neighborhood will be on the table next Tuesday evening.

Forest Grove School District leaders have invited residents who live near the current campus to a 6:30 p.m. informational meeting in the school gymnasium, 3130 18th Ave.

They’ll learn about the proposed November bond levy that calls for tearing down and replacing the 56-year-old school, said Connie Potter, the district’s information officer.

The project is part of a proposed $65.3 million bond the district placed on the Nov. 2 ballot. Bond money also would pay for additional cafeteria, gymnasium and instructional space at Forest Grove High School, surveillance cameras at all schools and deferred maintenance and energy efficiency improvements throughout the district, Potter said.

“Joseph Gale is a wood-frame building that was built in 1954 for a 20-year life span,” Potter noted. “Its open-air design poses security concerns because students must leave the building to walk to the restrooms, which are located at the end of each classroom wing.”

According to architect and construction assessments, Potter added, it would cost more to bring the building up to code and make updates than to tear it down and start over.

Preliminary architectural renderings of the proposed new school will be available at Tuesday’s session.