High-school board gets look at plans for science building

By Leigh Ann Maze

Design and development of the new science and home economics building at Los Gatos High School is well under way. The architectural firm under contract to design the building, bfgc, has already received approval from the Los Gatos-Saratoga High School District on preliminary plans, and is in the process of completing design details. At the district board meeting Nov. 2, bfgc presented several exterior sketches to the board, which hopes to obtain public input and approve final design plans by January.

The two-story building, to be located on the basketball courts, will include 12 science classrooms, faculty offices, project rooms, work rooms, restrooms and a storage area. Home economics will occupy two classrooms on the ground floor, looking out onto a large courtyard where various events will be held.

The building will add the first permanent classrooms to Los Gatos High School since 1968 when the art wing was constructed, according to district director of building projects, Richard Meyer.

One of 19 Los Gatos High improvement projects, the building is supported by a $79 million school bond measure passed by local voters in June, 1997. The bond measure is also supporting 23 projects at Saratoga High School. According to District Superintendent Cynthia Ranii, a needs assessment study done in February 1998 found the current science classrooms at both schools to be overcrowded and below modern-day standards.

"Science classes are the keys to occupations emerging in Silicon Valley and around California," said Geoffrey Teall, LG-SUHSD assistant superintendent. "A high percentage of new jobs emerging over the next 10 years are going to be science and math based. We're laying the groundwork for the next generation."

When architects and the district finish designing the building, the plans will be reviewed by the state for compliance with stringent safety codes and the Americans with Disabilities act. With a green light from the state, the board hopes to award the bid for construction by March and begin building in mid-August. Completion is slated for the start of the 2001 school year, according to Meyer. So far, the process is "moving along as anticipated," Ranii said.

The old science classrooms, downstairs from the library, will be remodeled, upgraded and converted to general purpose classrooms. Discussion is under way to have the old home economics and foreign language wing demolished and rebuilt, according to Meyer.

Some bond measure projects were completed this summer, including restroom and air conditioning renovation. Future projects include remodeling the library, and upgrading all campus facilities electrical and mechanical systems, roofs and interiors.

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