Trustees to explore new school

By GWEN ALBERS Western News Reporter

Libby School Board on Tuesday discussed exploring building a new elementary school to replace Asa Wood.

"The elementary school is the oldest facility we have," said Superintendent Kirby Maki. "The list (of needed repairs) goes on and on. It's my recommendation not to put hundreds and thousands in that building."

Maki suggested forming a committee of residents and school directors to study building a new school as well as finding a site for it.

"It might take months or years and years, but I don't think it's a good thing to invest money in it," Maki said.

"A committee doesn't cost us anything," added school board president Teri Kelly. "It's not a committee to do anything, but gives you an idea of the possibilities. It's worth weighing the pros and cons."

Built in 1950 as a junior high, Asa Wood over the years has undergone three major renovations, said its principal, Ken Foss. The last renovation was in the 1970s.

Today, the school has more than 300 students in first through fourth grades.

As for problems with Asa Wood, it has two inefficient boilers for heat, original windows and wooden doors, and bathrooms in need of updates, Foss said.

"The wooden doors are very, very heavy. Little kids have a hard time opening them," he said. "The sinks are old and the toilets are old. We have plywood swinging doors for the stalls and they don't lock. It keeps going on and on."

The floor tiles also are worn thin.

"We've replaced hundreds throughout the years," he said. "We have one tile here and one tile there. If you walk in, we have a rainbow of colors."

Foss supports forming a committee to study a new building or renovating.

"But with today's heating and

utility costs, would we in the long run save taxpayers money if we look at what is feasible? It will cost us as much or more to remodel and we still have an old building."

School board member Jim England also believes that although the school district's enrollment has dropped, that could change.

"I realize the school population has dropped, but growth is a stair-stepping thing," England said. "I think one of these years we will see an increase in numbers of students."

Just because enrollment is down that "doesn't mean kids should be in something that doesn't meet educational needs," Maki added.

He also noted the Asa Wood site "has tremendous value with property along the highway." He will have more information for forming a committee next month.