A master plan committee for the Carson City School District is nearly done with its work, including whether it should recommend that the school board seek a bond in November's election.
Mike Mitchell, director of operations for the district, said final recommendations will be made to the board at the Jan. 24 meeting. At its meeting on Tuesday, John DiMambro, publisher of the Nevada Appeal, will speak to the board about his view of the planning process.
"(DiMambro) brings a unique perspective to our master plan committee," said Mitchell. "He kind of wears two hats: one, as being in communication with so many members of the community; and two, how that might relate to the school district."
The board agenda is full of discussion items, and the master plan item is about halfway through.
The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Sierra Room of the community center at 851 E. William St.
According to Mitchell, after the master plan committee makes its recommendations, the board will need to decide sometime in the spring whether to request a bond.
"The key question, at least for me operationally wise, is are we going to try and go for it in 2006, and if we are, what is the makeup for that and how much money?" he asked.
One use for bond money would be to replace some 70,000-plus-square feet of portables space in use in the district, particularly at Carson Middle and Empire Elementary schools, with permanent buildings.
Other money could be used to build a new vocational school, if that's what the board decides to do. The committee does not yet have a consensus on how one could be built or operated, and is meeting one more time Jan. 18 to finish its recommendations.
"I think there's one thing that there's consensus on, and that is that there is a strong vocational program needed in the Carson City School District, even more so than currently is offered at the high school," Mitchell said.
The district is unable to keep up with student requests for vocational classes, he said. For example, about 40 percent of student requests for a seat in a vocational class last year were turned down because of lack of space.
"Currently, at our existing facility, there's not enough room, there's not enough teachers, and there's not enough facility for it," Mitchell said. "We need a facility to match the need."
Additionally, if a bond is approved, some of that money could be used to put in new carpeting at Seeliger Elementary School. The carpet in the computer room was replaced Friday after a leak developed in the ceiling from heavy rain over New Year's weekend.
About 40 community members are serving on the master plan committee and have met several times over the past few months.
n Contact reporter Maggie O'Neill at moneill@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.
If you go
WHAT: Carson City School Board meeting
WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday
WHERE: Sierra Room of the Community Center, 851 E. William St.
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