Bathrooms will be placed per city code and have yet to be finalized in the plans.

While continuing to utilize the Mpls Kids' space in the portables would alleviate space issues in the school, there are multiple reasons why those buildings must be removed.  First, because the portables were never meant to be a permanent fix and 10-15 years past plan, MSP Schools has requested all portables in the city be removed.  Second, because the portables were built for temporary use, they are not in great condition and the public has been asking for their removal for years.  

UPDATE: While the older, current, building will have a completely different system, and budget to replace the current system would not be covered by the expansion budget, one of the existing units will be able to be converted for cooling.  Therefore, PART of the existing building will become air conditioned!

The safety and health of the kids and school staff will be addressed throughout the construction, with the materials used and construction practices abiding by state guidelines.  While low-VOC paint is code, NO-VOC paint will be used.  A Project Coordinator will be on site throughout the project to monitor the construction and work with environmental agencies.  The project is required to meet State code and guidelines.

Safety will be addressed. Development/expansion to the playground structure is outside the scope of work defined by the funding made available for the project and is not part of our expansion project at this time.  However, once the portable classrooms are removed, that space will be reclaimed blacktop

There are site area opportunities at grade level that could be used for an outdoor educational environment that can be outside the jurisdictional review of public agencies. However, development of such an outdoor classroom is outside the scope of work defined by the funding made available for our project. Outside funding sources would be necessary.  If you have any connections to sponsorship sources, or interest in helping with an project outside the scope of the Contruction Project such as this, please contact Kristin Kelker at kristin@kelker.net

The roof area will not be handicapped accessible by elevator to the School and therefore cannot be made available for this purpose. Any green roofs/garden roofs used for storm water control are subject to the inspection of governing authorities and must be maintained as originally designed and therefore, would not provide for the needs of educational flexibility for such programs.

The Minneapolis Kids consideration in the school plan is an important one for many families, but many of the details have yet to be determined. The current plan is to move Minneapolis Kids into the space currently consisting of the lunch room and kitchen/prep space. This new Mpls Kids location will adjoin the gym for seamless transitions between classroom and gym activities.  Lockers will be installed in the hallway outside the gym rather than inside the current Mpls Kids' space, opening up more room. In addition, Mpls Kids will have access to the new cafeteria/commons space before/after school and other rooms as needed.  Other details, including enrollment, will be addressed by a special interest focus group in early March.

Their are multiple options for pilings which have been studied by an outside firm, with recommendations made based on site, soil and surroundings.  Steel pilings have been determined to be the only viable option for the site.  Auger drilling is not an option due to the sandy soil.  The pilings will most likely take place during the month of August, lasting 2-4 weeks (estimated closer to two than four) during the hours of 7:00-4:00.  Assessments will be done to surrounding neighbor's homes, with seismic monitors placed, to guague fibration.  The experience during the Burrough's full-scale construction, there was no seismic readings directly across the street.

How will space needs of orchestra, gifted and talented, foreign language, advanced courses, bubble grades, etc., be addressed as part of a K-8 dual campus?

Options to recoup the green space lost to the exanded builing are still being considered.  It is too early to determine where, due to water runoff considerations, but part of the black top area will most likely be converted to green space including a Rain Garden.  How that will look is to be determined.

When teachers invite parents into the classroom for a "show", it's almost impossible to fit everyone and certainly limits what can be done in the room.

There will multiple “commons/shared” spaces that will open up various opportunities for teachers to engage students and parents in creative ways, including the new lunch room.

By adding an additional grade, and moving to a 5K format, having dedicated rooms for Art and Music will be necessary to meet the needs of the students in these important areas of learning.

There will be five large K rooms.  Our hope is to offer full-day kindergarten in the five rooms as a fee based program as Hale Elementary has done for years. 

Potential uses would be to conduct story/reading hour, science based guest speakers, gardening, composting for the Linden Hills initiative.

This is definitely a "wish list" item, but possible to include in the green space recovered from the blacktop area, to recover the lost green space of the addition.  Anyone interested in a project such as this, outside the scope of actual construction project/funding, can contact Kritin Kelker at kristin@kelker.net

All existing classroom space will be needed for students.

Many concerns of the current, cramped conditions, lengthening an already long lunch schedule.

Yes!  A new, larger cafeteria is planned for the front of the building, with multi-function capacity.

At present, a computer lab is planned off the new Media Center in the new space.

Many ideas are still being discussed, as most everyone agrees that this space needs to be a multi-use space.

The expansion will add adequate classrooms to accommodate the 2013-2014 enrollment at upper and lower campus (5 classrooms per grade in the lower campus - or roughly 130 students per grade).  As we’ve experienced recently, enrollment levels can fluctuate so space needs are a fluid situation.  Some flexible use space is being designed into the plan to accommodate an occasional enrollment bubble.

Amenities and other details will be addressed during the mid-to-late Design Phase, approximately Feb-March.

Yes, a group is now forming under Kristin Kelker kristin@kelker.net. This is outside the scope of the project manager and architect currently working on the design and building plan.  However, supplemental funding would be welcomed by an available source within this tight Design time line that concludes in January.  This construction is a permanent change for the MPS to be able to deliver service to our community. There is a limited amount of funding and a defined purpose to meet the directive from the MPS School Board.  All decisions must be weighted as to how the outcome will serve the Construction Mission and Construction Goal.

Yes.  This project will follow the LEED guidelines; however the project will not seek LEED certification due to the time line and high cost to certify.  The architect will also be looking for any/all opportunities to receive energy rebates.  For more information on what LEED is please go to: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1988

The public can offer support and ideas during the Design Phase, which is ongoing.  Also, for those interested in getting involved in projects/funding that reside outside the scope of the Construction Project and budget, such as an outdoor classroom, landscaping ideas, new gym, etc., can contact Kristin Kelker at kristin@kelker.net

TBD with possibility of moving Mpls Kids into the school if/when outside construction would impact area where portables sit

Construction is tentatively planned to begin in June 2012, after the 2011-2012 school year, with pilings (the loud pounding) done by August 2012, prior to the 2012-2013 school year, for minimal distractions for students.