Expansion of programs proposed to school board

Karen Chandler, who has taught drama at Carson High School for 20 years, told school board members Tuesday that building a performance center would be the culmination of her life's work.

"This is like watching a dream come true for me," she said. "This would be the fulfillment of my career."

A member of the Career Arts and Education Committee, Chandler was among several who presented to the board the idea of expanding vocational and arts programs at the high school.

The centerpiece of the plan would be a proposed performing arts center that would be built on the grassy area at the front of the school.

Theater, band and choir students would be moved into the new center. Chandler said it will encourage the performing arts teachers and programs to continue working closely together.

"It is the most beautiful thing," she said. "And it doesn't happen at every school."

Other vocational programs, including welding, auto body and auto shop, would be moved into the bus yard behind the school, which would open up about 40,000 square feet at the high school.

Chet Alexander, chairman of the committee, said that space could be used to expand other programs and better use space.

He said the plan won't make the school bigger, rather "a better, more efficient school."

Chandler said the downturn in the economy should serve to spur the project onward.

"Entertainment is recession proof," she said. "When things go bad, people want to be entertained."

And not just the performing arts. She said people are more likely to get their cars fixed in hard economic times instead of replacing them. With advancing technology in the automotive industry as well, new skills will be needed.

"The need to train people in these trades is going to increase," she said. "These are not services that are going to go away."

After hearing the presentation, trustee Norm Scoggin supported the idea.

"I'm afraid in the near future what we're going to see with the rising cost of education fewer people will be going on to four-year schools," he said. "If students can walk out of Carson High School with a sellable skill, then we're accomplishing something."

Alexander suggested the board seek a bond in the November 2010 election to pay for the center as well as other improvements throughout the district.

The bond would be tax neutral, meaning it would not increase taxes but extend the current tax rate.

Scoggin pointed out that if schools do not continue to receive the portion of taxes they've been receiving, tax rates will not drop. Instead, the city will use that money for its projects.

"I think it would be a mistake to give that up," he said.

Depending on the size of the performing arts center, ranging from 700 to 3,000 seats, it could cost anywhere from $20 million to $30 million, trustee Jim Lemaire said.

Also at the meeting:

The school board Tuesday gave the city permission to begin work on the Corbett campus to expand Stewart Street.

Although the initial proposal, introduced about five years ago, was an exchange of land between the two, the action allowed work to begin before the actual deal is

agreed upon.

The board also voted to consider selling the west side of the campus, home to alternative high schools Pioneer and Opportunity, rather than trade it for a portion of land to the south.

The project, which the city first estimated would cost $5.2 million, went out to bid for $3.2 million, leaving the city in a position to pay for the land instead of trade for it.

"It's certainly to our advantage to take a cash offer than a property exchange," Bob Anderson, director of fiscal services for the Carson City School District, told the board.

The amount of money the district would receive in the sale is being negotiated.

In addition to a portion of the campus, the city also acquired First Christian Church and three homes that were all demolished for the extension.

The extension of Stewart Street, which now dead ends just past William Street, will make an S-shaped road that will eventually connect with Moody Street, which will then be renamed Stewart Street.

The extension is intended to reduce traffic on Roop and Carson streets.

Stewart Street will run about two miles from Carson Street until it connects with Roop Street just past Dan Street.