School board to select architect

The Sisters School District has begun the process of selecting an architect of record.

Acting School Superintendent Gene Carlson said that it was necessary for the district because of needed repairs at both the high and middle schools. Carlson also said that, in the event the board decides to try for another school bond -- and succeeds -- the architect of record would design the school.

At the December 11 school board meeting, member Steve Keeton gave an additional reason for hiring an architect. Referring to the November 7 failed $22 million school bond, Keeton said "I think it's a good idea for us to get an architect on board and hone down exactly what the community wants the new school to be like."

Board chair Bill Reed, however, urged more caution. Reed asked his fellow members to defer any decisions about even whether to seek a second bond attempt until after the architect works with the district's staff and board to determine the pulse of the community.

Member Glen Lasken agreed, and suggested the board reject out of hand the idea of going back to the voters in the earliest available month.

"I believe eliminating March is the prudent course," he said, "but at the same time, let's keep the other dates open."

The district began advertising for an architect, by publishing a Request for Proposal, on October 24.

According to district materials, 10 respondents met the preliminary criteria. Six firms from Portland, two from Salem, and one each from Seattle and Bend were chosen to continue the process of selection.

The Bend firm, Steele Associates Architects, recently has worked with the school board. It helped diagnose the structural problems at the high school and also submitted, several months ago, its vision of what a new middle school might look like.

Next in the selection process, a five-member evaluation committee will study the 10 proposals and winnow them down to no more than five by January 10. Representatives from those firms will then proceed to joint interviews with the committee and the school board, in mid- January.

The five-member school board next meets January 8, at the high school.