Officials to look at cost options for South Whidbey school campus consolidation

South Whidbey school district officials announced Wednesday that the restructuring committee charged with moving Langley Middle School students and staff onto the high school campus by the fall of 2012 will present two options on how the district will pay for the move.

South Whidbey school district officials announced Wednesday that the restructuring committee charged with moving Langley Middle School students and staff onto the high school campus by the fall of 2012 will present two options on how the district will pay for the move.

Earlier this month, architect Brian Fitzgerald revealed the first look at a cost estimate, a preliminary price tag that totaled $43.3 million.

“That was basically a shopping list of items that the committee felt would meet the needs of the students,” committee chairman Mike Johnson told the board.

Committee members took the list and assigned a priority number from one to three, noting whether the item is absolutely essential to middle school students and programs, highly desirable or something that would be nice to have. They could also elect to subtract, add or modify parts of the plan.

On May 18, the school district will ask South End voters to approve the continuation of a long-term $20 million bond, to cover the cost of renovation and construction at the high school.

The two options will be presented to the board at its next workshop. The meeting is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 in the community room at the elementary school.