Multi Use Academic Center and Other Updates from the La Grande School District
By Garrett Christensen on Monday, December 19th, 2022 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – The school board for the La Grande School District (LGSD) recently convened. A number of projects and changes, both big and small, are in development. Notably, the new Mullite Use Athletic Academic Center for the La Grande Middle School has had its final design approved by the board.
Superintendent George Mendoza, who is temporarily referring to the structure as “The Wildcat Center” pending its final naming, said the following:
“We looked at new 3D renderings of the Wildcat Center. We did a final approval of the design in the board meeting as well. Now we have a really good picture of what architects are really going to work on, what our contractors are going to do, and what work is going to take place going forward.”
In addition, a naming committee will soon be established to select the official name for the completed center. This committee will be comprised of members from the initial bond oversight committee and the greater La Grande School District with special attention being given to feedback from the La Grande Middle School. Mendoza further reflected on the design and the need to have a proper name, stating:
“I’m calling it the Wildcat Center because it belongs to the middle school. We’ll have, at any time, 400 to 500 students in that building in the future. We’ll have four classrooms there; we’ll have our PE health classroom on top of that, and then we’ll have gyms. It really belongs to the middle school, so I’ve been wanting to call it something that’s associated with the La Grande Middle School.”
The middle school isn’t the only part of the district getting a new building. LGSD recently purchased Adams Professional Plaza, now renamed the La Grande Plant and Operations Center. The district is also in talks with Maverick Rentals to move all storage and vehicles from Grounds and Facilities to a new location.
The final major update concerns the proposal to move the district to a four-day school week. A survey was recently sent to school district members asking for feedback on the possible change, with more information available in the district newsletter and at 4 Day Week | La Grande School District (lagrandesd.org). The webpage includes power-points, notes from previous meeting discussions, research information and potential district calendars. Mendoza further commented on the transition, stating:
“We really want to hear from the public what they think about a four-day school week. From my perspective, we’re trying hard to stay neutral and be in support of our students. The motto I use is ‘I’m here for students in support of staff.’ Any schedule that we do has to be a schedule that is a win-win. The students need to win just as much as the adults for this type of thing.”
