Overview
The Path Forward
Co-Location Challenges
Alternatives
Meeting Schedule
Funding Sources
Share Your Thoughts
Additional Resources
OVERVIEW
The 850 Howard building, named for its street address, currently is home to two schools: Kelly Middle School and Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School. Y-G moved into the building in the fall of 2020.
In April 2023, in voting to tear down the old North Eugene High School building, the school board directed district staff to develop a comprehensive plan to address within a set timeline the challenges of having two distinct school programs operating within a single building.
Our district has initiated a three-phase process to approve that plan so two vibrant school programs can thrive moving into the future.
THE PATH FORWARD
Phase 1: Research and Fact Finding, May 3–17, 2023
- Collect questions and observations from school board, staff, families and community
- Aggregate this information in an accessible and clear format so there’s a common understanding of options, possibilities and constraints
- Present this information at May 17 school board meeting for board’s feedback and refinement prior to Phase 2
Phase 2: Community Engagement, May 17—June 21, 2023
- Use 4J’s two-way communication platform, Let’s Talk, to collect feedback on various options
- Hold both in-person and virtual meetings to review information vetted by school board at May 17 meeting and collect feedback
- Present combined feedback to the North Region Board Subcommittee for discussion and a possible recommendation to the full school board
- Members of the subcommittee present information and its possible recommendation to the school board for discussion and a possible vote at its June 21 meeting.
Phase 3: Design/Long-Range Planning: Fall & Winter 2023
- Establish work groups to implement adopted plan. Examples may, or may not include, a design work group for any construction, remodel or transition needs, or a long-range planning group for dual language programs.
CO-LOCATION CHALLENGES
Educators and families at both schools have raised concerns that the current co-location poses these challenges:
- Insufficient space to meet the educational needs of students and the workplace needs of staff
- Issues present having elementary and middle school students in the same building when they are at significantly different phases in their cognitive, emotional and social development
- Inability to build and retain a culture and identity that’s distinct for each school
ALTERNATIVES
Our district has identified the following values in its decision-making for the 850 Howard Avenue building:
- Ensure that both programs have the facilities and space required for robust and vibrant educational opportunities
- Maintain Yujin Gakuen Elementary’s identity as a North Region program
- Develop both short- and long-term plans for the North Eugene region, including Kelly Middle School and Yujin Gakuen Elementary
The alternatives that don’t retain the current co-location arrangement envision the relocation of Yujin Gakuen, with Kelly Middle School remaining at the 850 Howard Avenue building.
ALTERNATIVES FOR CONTINUED CO-LOCATION
| Alternative | Description | Estimated Financial Impact* |
Estimated Project Completion |
Important Considerations |
| As-Is | No construction changes | N/A | N/A | Relies only on operational changes to relieve space concerns |
| Renovate 850 Howard for $12 million |
Prioritized projects previously identified by North Region Board Subcommittee here | $12 Million | Fall 2025 | Retains co-location of two schools |
| Renovate 850 Howard for more than $12 million |
All projects previously identified by North Region Board Subcommittee here | $21–$23 Million | Fall 2025 | Retains co-location of two schools; removes green space |
ALTERNATIVES FOR Y-G TO MOVE TO ANOTHER SCHOOL SITE
| Alternative | Description | Estimated Financial Impact* |
Estimated Project Completion |
Important Considerations |
| Add structure to North Eugene High (after demo) | Add modulars or new build |
Portables: $27-30 Million New Build: $50–60 Million |
Modulars: Fall 2026 New Build: Fall 2027 |
Removes possible second field from high school |
| Add structure to Madison Middle School |
Add modulars or new build |
Modulars: $29-32 Million New Build: $55–$65 Million |
Modulars: Fall 2026 New Build: Fall 2027 |
Removes baseball/softball facility and soccer field; leaves track |
| Add structure to Awbrey Park Elementary |
Add modulars or new build |
Modulars: $29-32 Million New Build: $55–$65 Million |
Modulars: Fall 2026 New Build: Fall 2027 |
Removes two baseball/softball facilities and soccer field |
| Add structure to Howard Elementary School |
Add new build only due to space constraints |
New Build: $55–$65 Million | Fall 2027 | Removes one baseball/softball facility and soccer field |
| Add structure to River Road Elementary |
Add new build only due to space constraints |
New Build: $55–$65 Million | Fall 2027 | Removes one baseball/softball facility and soccer field |
| Add structure to Spring Creek Elementary |
Add new build only due to space constraints |
New Build: $55–$65 Million | Fall 2027 | Removes two baseball/softball facilities and soccer field; leaves track |
ALTERNATIVES FOR Y-G TO MOVE TO STANDALONE SITE
| Alternative | Description | Estimated Financial Impact* |
Estimated Project Completion |
Important Considerations |
| Build structure on Admiral Street property | Developing school site with either modulars or new build |
Modulars: $39–42 Million New Build: $65–75 Million |
Modulars: Fall 2027 New Build: Fall 2028 |
Requires full development of property for school site originally land-banked for possible neighborhood school |
| Renovate and repurpose 4J Ed Center |
Renovate and repurpose current district headquarters |
$37 Million, not including purchase or lease of property for new administrative offices |
TBD, dependent on other property acquisition | Relies upon the move of administrative offices |
| Relocation to Willard school site | Move to current swing school site | $100,000 in moving expenses | Fall 2024 | Relocates Y-G from North Region |
* Based on good faith estimates and current construction costs, which may be subject to change
MEETING SCHEDULE
FUNDING SOURCES
ALLOCATED
$5 million: Remaining proceeds from 2018 bond designated for program moves
$7 million: premiums, savings and interest from 2018 bond
TOTAL: $12 million
The allocation of additional funds would be at the school board’s discretion, taking into account restrictions related to the spending of federal pandemic emergency relief dollars (ESSER) or reallocating bond dollars.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS
Provide your comments and suggestions by filling out and submitting an online form using our Let’s Talk two-way communication platform.
We look forward to hearing from you!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
PRESENTATIONS
• May 17, 2023, School Board Meeting: Meeting Presentation & Board Discussion • Presentation Slideshow
