A February meeting of a bond steering committee was intended for the review of all facilities in Longview Independent School District.
When the discussions were over, Forest Park Magnet School had garnered most of the attention.
|
 Michael Cavazos/News-Journal Photo | Foundation problems are common at Forest Park Magnet School, causing cracks in walls across campus.
|
|
|
Most of it was negative.
Though an outside study of the district recommended overhaul or replacement of most campuses, district officials and the volunteer committee members generally have pointed to Forest Park as the poster school for a $266.9 million bond proposal.
On May 10, Longview ISD voters will decide whether to rebuild Forest Park and the district's other two middle schools. The bond proposal also includes five new elementary schools and additions at South Ward Elementary, Doris McQueen Primary and Longview High schools.
Forest Park problems
Shouts from a crowd that a school should not continue to exist would typically be frowned upon in a school-related meeting. On Feb. 4, however, such comments about Forest Park were catalysts for discussion about the campus' structural problems.
"I was very concerned about the structure at Forest Park," said Caryn Pepper, a bond steering committee member. During a tour of the campus, Pepper said she placed her water bottle on a classroom floor and it began rolling.
The problem stems from active soils – possibly a fault line – below the foundation, says a study by the Texas Association of School Administrators. In his report for TASA, facilities specialist Paul Trautman said the ground activity subjects the buildings to shifting and heaving.
Principal Margaret Davis said the uneven floors have created numerous separations of inner walls, including one that can no longer support itself or the ceiling.
"We've had to use a two-by-four to keep the wall from collapsing," Davis said. "We patch things as we go, but it's getting more difficult."
Maintenance crews essentially are helpless about solving issues caused by the school's location on the side of a hill.
The campus is bisected on its northern end because of a naturally-occurring drainage channel. Sections of a steep concrete sidewalk contain growing gaps of at least 2 inches in some places, making it a challenge for people in wheelchairs to navigate, Davis said.
"It looks like you would need two people to get a wheelchair down this sidewalk safely," said Sam Satterwhite, school board president. "I'm not even sure how safe that is."
The uncovered sidewalk is the only wheelchair access on the east side of the campus. An electronic wheelchair lift at the center of the campus is often inoperable because of mechanical problems, Davis said.
In his facility report about Forest Park, Trautman pointed out several of the same concerns he had about other schools in the district:
- Inadequate parking
- Unsafe and congested vehicle traffic at school dismissal
- Substandard classroom furnishings and equipment
- Some classrooms smaller than state minimum standard
- Site security and student safety related to outside campus access
- Cafeteria overcrowding
"While this school is certainly not the oldest middle school facility in the district, it is both educationally and economically obsolete," Trautman said in his report. "It should be abandoned for any instructional program use as soon as the opportunity is available."
* * *
About the series
The Longview News-Journal's Longview ISD series looks at schools that could be affected by a proposed bond package.
March 16: Ware Elementary School and neighborhood schools concept
Today: Forest Park Magnet School
March 30: Judson Middle School
* * *
What voters will consider May 10
Five new elementary schools: $99.7 million
Additions at South Ward Elementary and Doris McQueen Primary schools: $21.3 million
Three new middle schools: $107.1 million
Additions at Longview High School: $34.7 million
Districtwide technology: $4 million
Total proposal: $266.9 million
Source: Longview ISD
About Forest Park Magnet School
Built: 1957; Three wings added in the 1960s; Library addition in 1996
Classrooms: 37
Classroom size: About 600 square feet, on average
Campus land acres: 15
Enrollment: 482
Source: LISD; Texas Association of School Administrators Facilities Study
Forest Park Magnet School proposal
About 48 classrooms averaging between 750 and 900 square feet; 750-student maximum occupancy
Fine arts area
Separate boys and girls gymnasiums
Library
Cafeteria
2 administration wings
Estimated cost: $34,016,867
District officials have said Forest Park would need to be built in a new area, but have not confirmed the properties being considered for purchase.
Source: Huckabee Architectural Firm; Longview ISD
