Upcoming Open Houses and School Tours

Master Planning Process & Recommended Improvements

As the district completes a 10-Year Master Planning process, the Lowell School Board is inviting the community to attend an Open House to visit and learn about the recommendations for improvements to Lundy Elementary and Lowell High School. The Open Houses will be held twice to accommodate work and family commitments — the content of both meetings will be the same.

The district began the planning process approximately one year ago. The goal of the master planning effort is to identify the condition and needs for facilities over the next decade. The process has included engineering and systems reviews, efficiency and standards assessment and discussions with building users, staff and community members. The work was led by gLAs Architects, an Oregon firm specializing in schools and other public buildings.

Facility needs have been prioritized, with student security, safety and building systems efficiency and stability receiving the greatest emphasis. With guidance from the School Board and Superintendent Walt Hanline, gLAs Architects has merged the findings of the reviews, user needs and district priorities and the resulting recommendations will be discussed at the Open House.

The estimated cost for the highest priority efforts totals approximately $8 million. The district has applied for and hopes to receive a matching $4 million grant from the State of Oregon for facilities improvements. The balance of the work would be funded using bonds, the issuance of which would need to be approved by voters. The School Board will consider the referral of a bond measure to voters later in the year.