I am writing to let you know about changes in the plans for expanding our school building.
As many of you know, for the past several months we have been working with our landlord, Preston Alexander, on plans to renovate the top floor of the building to add four classrooms, restrooms, offices and meeting space. After consulting with contractors, architects and engineers, however, we have learned that the structural work required would be so extensive – and expensive – that we can no longer pursue that plan. However, we have quickly shifted gears to a new plan that will ultimately provide an excellent solution for the school’s long-term needs.
We are not moving – we will continue to occupy our current building, which we have all come to love. But, instead of remodeling the top floor, a brand-new building will be constructed on the same property to house additional classrooms. Plans are currently in a great deal of flux - any specifics I would give you now would likely change, so I ask for your patience as we work out the details. We will send out an update along with a site plan as soon as possible; for now, I can tell you that we believe that the end result will be a vibrant school campus we will all enjoy for many years to come.
By now, you are probably thinking that there’s no way to finish a new building by September and you’re probably right. So, in addition to firming up the plans for a new building, we are also working to secure temporary space for the additional classrooms we need in the fall. We have not yet decided which classrooms will be in temporary spaces, but will notify you as soon as possible. Because the first day of school is 2 ½ months away and we need only limited space, we are confident we will find the space we need. After all, last year when we learned our building wouldn’t be ready for the first day of school, we planned a week of outdoor school and found temporary space for six classrooms in less than two weeks! In comparison, this should be a cinch. We have several options we are exploring. But, as always, if you have any suggestions or ideas, please contact me at t.oday@fgcschool.org or Karen Torry at 503-359-4600 or k.torry@fgcschool.org.
Although this is not the kind of news we’d like to be giving you, we continue to feel very fortunate. Few charter schools have the kind of permanent facility we have secured in our first year and fewer still have a landlord like
Thanks again to all of you – students, parents, volunteers and community members – for making this a great first year. And here’s to an even better one next year.
Attached you’ll find the agenda for the board meeting on Tuesday, June 16.
Terry O’Day, Chair
FGCS Board of Directors
