Construction continues at our high school campus. Structures have now been removed from the site, including the high school south wing, the barn, and the former admin center. Now, concrete demolition can begin in preparation for the new aux gym and high school addition. On Feb. 24, the district received land use approval from the City of Banks Planning Commission. This is a major milestone for the project, allowing permitting to continue to the next steps with Washington County, Clean Water Services, and Oregon DEQ.
As these exciting projects unfold, we are leveraging value engineering to keep the budget on track. This has meant reducing some hardscaping such as concrete benches and walkways, simplifying landscaping, and adjusting some building materials. With the value engineering and careful stewardship, the district is maintaining contingencies above industry standards. These contingencies allow the district to prepare for any uncertainties and potentially increase the scope of the projects.
Throughout the demolition process, the district and its partners have taken great care to preserve school, building, and community history. Teams have salvaged many items to be repurposed in the new facilities, including the mural, wood for wainscoting in hallways, and bricks for landscaping. The district has also distributed items to the community by request to allow individuals to preserve the history of the building at home. Along with preserving items, we are planning to showcase artifacts of historical significance via digital formats, such as a web page, a coffee table book, and a documentary produced by BHS students. We are excited to be able to share those with you in the coming year.
