SJSD evaluates reorganization costs, estimates $678K so far
Prajukta Ghosh
ST. JOSEPH. Mo. (KQTV) — The St. Joseph School District Board of Education and administration discussed Plan 4BR reorganization-related costs at its last board meeting.
Plan 4BR, which supports a two-high-school model between Benton and Central, would make Spring Garden, Truman, Bode and Lafayette all middle schools.
The plan has Hosea, Hyde, Pickett, Parkway, Skaith, Coleman, Edison, Bessie Ellison, Carden Park, Lindbergh, Oak Grove and Robidoux as elementary schools.
So far, reorganization costs are estimated to be around $678,000.
District administration gave a presentation during the Jan. 26 Board of Education meeting, breaking down what funds are needed and where they’re going.
SJSD estimates $513,000 will go toward Benton Classroom Reconfiguration, detailing in a memo that it would, “allow for better equity at each High School and help accommodate the increase in student population.”
“So, part of the design development the DLR is going to do is to look at Benton and to ensure that you know we have the classroom spaces for some of the programs,” said Robert Hedgecorth, SJSD assistant superintendent of business and operations.
Per Plan 4BR, with Robidoux Middle School being converted into an elementary school, the district estimates around $150,000 to relocate playground equipment from Eugene Field and Pershing elementary schools to Robidoux.
Additionally, the district said Robidoux will also need age-appropriate restroom fixtures installed, as the current fixtures will not accommodate younger students. The estimated cost for this project is expected to be around $15,000.
“We will need to move some of the playground equipment from Field and Pershing elementary over to Robidoux, so those kids have the same equipment that they have at the other elementary schools,” Hedgecorth said.
The district also detailed teacher relocation expenses, which are currently “To Be Decided,” per the memo.
Relocation expenses would entail hiring a moving company through a “Request for Proposal” process. The moving company would provide boxes and relocate the teachers’ supplies and furniture to their new location.
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Hedegcorth also said the biggest challenge in dealing with all the new changes is the pressure to have everything done on time.
“When school ends in late May, you have a certain (period) where that building may be empty, also depends on whether there will be summer school held in that building or not,” Hedgecorth added.
The financial impact of the reorganization will be spread across the current and upcoming fiscal years.
He said expenses tied to this fiscal year will be addressed in the June budgeting process.
“So a lot of this stuff is getting done in the summer, some of these expenses will come on this fiscal year and then some will start in the new fiscal year. Any expenses we think will be in the new fiscal year, we will budget for in June,” Hedgecorth said.
Hedgecorth said major reorganizations often come with unavoidable costs to ensure buildings are ready for their new purpose.
