Artist rendering of the two-story design selected for Barranca Elementary School. Courtesy/FBT Architects

The one-story design favored by some Barranca staff and parents. Courtesy/FBT Architects

Update to the story published today in the print edition of the Los Alamos Daily Post:

At 5:10 p.m., the Los Alamos School Board voted 4-1 for the two-story design concept described below. Board Member Bill Hargraves voted in favor of the one-story design, which he said he felt was better for students.

Board President Jenny McCumber, Vice-president Andrea Cunningham, Secretary Ellen Ben-Naim and Board Member Stephen Boerigter all said they were swayed by a number of factors, but especially by surveys that show school staff members in close proximity to each other are happier and more productive. The positive experiences of staff at Aspen Elementary with its two-story design also influenced these Board members, as did the factors listed below. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring.

Board President McCumber assured Barranca staff and parents at the meeting this evening that the Board will work to make the construction process go smoothly. 

New Barranca Elementary School: Will It Be One-Story Or Two?

By BONNIE J. GORDON
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgordon@ladailypost.com

In summer and fall 2016 after many community meetings, the Los Alamos School Board decided to proceed with the rebuilding of Barranca Elementary School, which was ranked the 14th worst school building in the state. In January 2017, voters approved a school bond, mostly for this project.

Initially, the District was told $8 million in matching funds from the state would be available. Later the District learned that the state would not be able to provide the funds and the project scope had to be scaled back. FBT Architects was hired to design the project.

The current school is 61,871 sq. ft. The initial design was 76,090 sq ft. The new, scaled back design is 65,609 sq. ft.  The current project proposed space includes 32,657 of new square footage and 32,953 of renovated square footage.

Classroom area was maintained in the current project to respond to project based learning. Special education and pre-kindergarten space had to be reduced.

FBT provided two possible designs, a one- story design and a two-story design for consideration. These designs were unveiled at a series of public meetings this month. A final decision on the new design will take place at a School Board Meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday at Barranca Elementary School, following discussion of the projects and public comment.

At the Aug. 10 meeting a parent argued in favor of the one-story design because, she said, the transition would be easier on students and teachers, as non-classroom spaces would not be utilized as heavily and additional portable classrooms would not be needed. Other parents pointed out the problems with evacuation of a two-story building during a fire or other emergency, and the difficulties posed to disabled students and staff.

Hari Viswanathan asked LAPS Building Coordinator Herb McLean to outline the advantages of the two-story plan.

McLean and the FBT architects pointed to several advantages:

• More playground room
• Half the amount of roof to be replaced in the future
• Better energy efficiency
• Easier snow removal
• Better campus safety from intruders
• No problems with slope of land that will have to be dealt with in the one- story plan.

McLean said six months of further design would go into whichever design is chosen.

At an Aug. 17 meeting for Barranca parents, it was brought up that classrooms will be smaller than they are currently.

“Current classrooms are bigger, but they are not well-organized or efficient,” replied Barranca School Board Representative and Board Vice-President Andrea Cunningham.

“We can take the space and make it all learning space. Teachers will have lots of input into how their classrooms are designed,” Cunningham said. “This is my neighborhood and my school.  I’m so happy to be part of this.”

A third grade teacher pointed out that sewers were backing up in the third grade wing.

“The current building is being held together with duct tape and toilet paper,” agreed Superintendent Kurt Steinhaus.

Aspen Elementary Principal Kathryn Vandenkieboom said that during the Aspen remodel, students responded well to the chaos.

“Present the challenge as a learning experience,” she said. “Kids were excited about the new school.”

Barranca Principal Virginia Terrazas said her staff could work with either school concept.

“Either design is wonderful for us, because we’re getting a new school,” she said.