Perkins Local Schools Seek Proposals From Architecture Firms

Perkins Local School District will embark on a comprehensive review of its buildings and facilities in an effort to modernize and maximize classroom spaces and learning environments, and replace and upgrade outdated heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems that date back to the initial building construction of the 1960s. Funding for any projects will come from existing revenue sources and cost efficiencies, and there will not be additional levies or bond issues put to voters.

The Perkins Board of Education on Wednesday, November 13, voted to seek proposals from  architecture firms to assist in creating a Master Plan that integrates educational visioning, design, and cost analysis to guide the District’s future renovations and improvements. The Master Plan will take into consideration current enrollment figures and estimates. 

The Master Plan will serve as a roadmap to examine current buildings and offer suggestions on how the District could best use its spaces. The Master Plan also will prioritize proposed projects and renovations, and include cost estimates and timelines for completion.

Funding for all projects will not require any tax increases, such as a voter-approved levy or bond issue. Rather, funding from the Nexus Tax Appeal Settlement and the payment in lieu of taxes from the Aligned Data Centers facility at Hayes and Perkins avenues, as well as other recent construction within the school district and existing revenue sources allow the district to move forward with no additional burden to the taxpayers.

Some improvements in the District are already complete or underway. 

Over the summer months, the District modernized the Pirate Learning Center (PLC) in the high school. New video equipment, lighting, carpeting, and wall coverings were installed. Also in the PHS, the band room, which flooded after a heavy storm occurred, was renovated and updated with new lighting, flooring, shelving and wall-coverings, as well sound-absorbing tiling for music rooms.

Meantime, the HVAC systems in all four buildings need attention and remain a priority. 

At the District’s second oldest building, Furry Elementary, the heating system relies on an original boiler from 1956 and a second from 1995. The older boiler, however, is the more effective boiler.

Similarly, at Meadowlawn Intermediate, the heating system relies on two boilers, both original, dating back to 1960. At Briar Middle School, the district’s newest building constructed in 1966, there is one boiler that is original to the building and a second that was installed in 1995. 

At PHS, there are five boilers – three to heat the building and two to heat the swimming pool – that were installed in 2008. 

Like the boilers in the buildings, the air-handling systems are dated and not efficient. And, although some classrooms and offices have air-conditioning units, most classrooms do not have adequate air-conditioning and ventilation for hot spring and autumn days when classes are in session.

And, because the HVAC systems are old, when repairs are needed, school maintenance crews or outside contractors must custom craft parts to replace broken and worn-out pieces, parts, and attachments.

The District also wants to consider how classroom and office space is used for current and future enrollment. Currently, the district has 1,899 students in Preschool, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-12. Historically, that’s down from a high of 2,437 students in the 2012-2013 school year. Projections show a downward enrollment trend continuing, with an estimated 1,750 across the District in 2031-32.

The Board is expected to take further action in early 2025 to hire the architecture firm after proposals have been reviewed.