Groundbreaking ceremony at Ray-Pec High School

A May 24,2016, groundbreaking ceremony marked the official kick-off to a major construction and renovation project at Raymore-Peculiar High School. Participants in the ceremony included representatives from the School Board, District and high school administration, bond issue campaign leadership, incite Design Studio architects, J.A. Lillig Excavating, Henderson Engineers, Kaw Valley Engineering, and the cities of Peculiar and Raymore. Henderson Engineers, Inc. is providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and audio-visual services for the project. Kaw Valley engineering is a civil engineering firm.

The project includes new construction of about 100,000 feet, including a two-story addition at the north of the current building. The plan includes a dedicated area for freshman core classes, a new library media center, additional space for fine arts and performing arts classes, and relocation of some classrooms and offices. The preliminary design also shows changes to traffic flow around the high school to create separate areas for bus, parent pick-up, and student traffic.

The plans also include construction of a storm-resistant concrete dome structure on the east side of the building. The dome would include an auxiliary gym, restrooms, and locker rooms and will also serve as a shelter in the event of severe weather. In addition to the exterior construction, there will be interior renovation to some areas of the school.

Once complete, the District will be able to accommodate all students in grades 9-12 in one school.

In front row, holding shovels, from left: Melinda Houdyshell, bond issue campaign leader; School Board Member Ruth Johnson; Kristi Lillig, president of J.A. Lillig Excavating; School Board Member Susan Edmonsond; Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees; School Board Member Barbara Boucher; School Board Member Ryan Wescoat; School Board President Kim York; Peculiar Mayor Holly Stark; Ray-Pec High School Principal Steven Miller; and Aaron Harte, architect with incite Design Studio.

Others pictured, from left: Raymore City Manager Jim Feuerborn; Raymore Police Chief Jan Zimmerman;  Ray-Pec High School Assistant Principal Jerry Edson; Ray-Pec High School Assistant Principal Mark Cook; Ray-Pec Activities/Athletic Director Tom Kruse; Ray-Pec High School Assistant Principal Jeanne Kuhlman; Ray-Pec High School Associate Principal Kristina Martin; Matt Jaspersen, project manager with J.A. Lillig Excavating; Jay Harris, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services; Patrick Smith, architectural staff with incite Design Studio; Josh Canard, architect with incite Design Studio; Leslie Robinson, architectural staff with incite Design Studio; and Julia Bauer, project architect with incite Design Studio.

The design team. From left to right: Josh Canard, architect, incite Design Studio; Leslie Robinson, architectural staff, incite Design Studio; Patrick Smith, architectural staff, incite Design Studio; Carl Holden, vice president, Henderson Engineers; Aaron Harte, architect with incite Design Studio; David Wood, civil engineer, Kaw Valley Engineers; and Julia Bauer, project architect with incite Design Studio.

Construction to begin soon at south high school

With the end of the school year, the District is moving forward with construction of an addition to the south high school. The first steps include site work for additions to the high school.

In April, the School Board approved bids for site development work. This includes grading, pad preparation for the building additions, relocation and installation of site utilities, and construction of the west and north parking lots.

In addition to the exterior site work, the District is preparing for renovation to take place inside the building. Because the addition includes a new, larger library media center, the existing library (pictured heree) will be converted into classrooms. During the 2016-2017 school year, students in grades 9-12 will be able to access books and resources in the library media center in the north high school building.

Board approves bids for high school site work

In preparation for construction of an addition to the south high school, the Board of Education on April 28, 2016, approved  bids for site development work.

The Board approved a total bid of $1,523,066 from JA Lillig Excavating for the site package, which includes grading, pad preparation for the building additions, relocation and installation of site utilities, and construction of the west and north parking lots. JA Lillig was the low bidder of four submitted bids.

The site work is expected to begin as soon as possible after the end of the school year. View larger image: Site plan

Voters approve bond issue on April 5, 2016

Thank you, Ray-Pec voters, for approving the $27 million bond issue! Unofficial election results show that the question passed with 79.85 percent approval. Cass County election results showed 3,745 "yes" votes and 945 "no" votes.

Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees thanked staff and community members for support of the bond issue. "We look forward to implementing the facility projects outlined in our Long Range Facility Plan," he said. "The next year or so will be challenging as we tackle the construction projects and the necessary transition activities in preparation for the fall of 2017. I am confident that collectively we will make this transition a positive experience for our students moving forward."

The District is prepared to immediately proceed with projects to be funded through the bond issue. Last fall, a team began meeting to create a building addition and renovation plan for the south high school. The goal was to have a design ready to implement as soon as possible, pending voter approval of the no-tax-rate-increase bond issue on the April 5 ballot.

This project is the necessary first step among the projects outlined in the Long Range Facility Plan and provides the quickest possible solution to the current two-building high school.

View the presentation

Here's another way to learn more about the $27 million bond issue District voters will see on the April 5, 2016, ballot - by viewing a presentation narrated by Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees.

Preliminary high school design information

View the preliminary plans for the additions and renovations at the south high school building:

Site plan for RPHS

RPHS floor plan - Areas of impact	RPHS floor plan - Department areas
RPHS with planned addition at north	RPHS exterior view

Board reviews updated plans for high school addition

During its Feb. 11 work session, the School Board reviewed updated plans for an addition onto the south high school. The building plan, which includes new construction of about 100,000 feet, would allow the District to accommodate all students in grades 9-12 in one school.

The preliminary building plan includes a two-story addition at the north of the current building. The plan includes a dedicated area for freshman core classes, a new library media center, additional space for fine arts and performing arts classes, and relocation of some classrooms and offices. The preliminary design also shows changes to traffic flow around the high school to create separate areas for bus, parent pick-up, and student traffic.

The latest plans also include construction of a storm-resistant concrete dome structure on the east side of the building. The dome would include an auxiliary gym, restrooms, and locker rooms and will also serve as a shelter for students and staff in the event of severe weather.

Board members reacted positively to the addition of the storm shelter, which provides needed space while also addressing student and staff safety. It could also be used by the larger community outside the school day.

For three months, a team has been meeting to create the building addition and renovation plan for the south high school. The goal is to have a design ready to implement as soon as possible, pending voter approval of the no-tax-rate-increase bond issue on the April 5 ballot. This project is the necessary first step among the projects outlined in the Long Range Facility Plan and provides the quickest possible solution to the current two-building high school.

Watch video of work session: https://youtu.be/pAbO_iwWizs

Board reviews high school addition

The Board of Education on Jan. 14 took its first look at preliminary plans for an addition to the south high school building. During a work session largely devoted to the topic, Board members also reviewed plans for renovation within the school, and a site plan for the campus.

The preliminary design shows changes to traffic flow around the high school to create separate areas for bus, parent pick-up, and student traffic. The preliminary building plan includes new construction of about 100,000 square feet, including a two-story addition at the north of the current building and an auxiliary gym. The plan, which is still under development, would nearly double the number of instructional spaces in the building. It includes a dedicated area for freshman core classes, a new library media center, additional space for fine arts classes, and relocation of some classrooms and offices.

For the past eight weeks, a team has been meeting to create a building addition and renovation plan for the south high school. The goal is to have a design ready to implement as soon as possible, pending voter approval of the no-tax-rate-increase bond issue on the April 5 ballot. This project is the necessary first step among the projects outlined in the Long Range Facility Plan and provides the quickest possible solution to the current two-building high school.

Once a consensus is established on the general floor plan, more meetings will be scheduled to refine details within the various spaces, and a full set of schematic designs will be developed with greater detail. Final cost estimates and phasing schedules will also be developed to ensure the project meets budget and timeline requirements.

Watch video:  Jan. 14, 2016, work session

Board votes to place bond issue on April ballot

Ray-Pec voters on April 5, 2016, will consider a $27 million no-tax-rate-increase bond issue to address space needs throughout the District. The plan includes constructing an addition onto the south high school to accommodate all students in grades 9-12 in one school.

The Board on Dec. 17, 2015, unanimously approved placing the bond issue on the ballot. The general obligation bond issue is necessary to fund the improvements outlined in the District’s Long Range Facility Plan. In introducing the measure, Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees emphasized that the bond issue will not require an increase in the tax levy.

In addition to the high school expansion, other elements of the plan include:

• North high school building becomes second middle school
• Modifications to Bridle Ridge and Eagle Glen to serve grades K-5
• Convert Shull Elementary into an Early Childhood Center
• Maintenance projects throughout the District

The Long Range Facility Plan, which was unanimously approved by the Board on Sept. 24 after a yearlong development process, addresses the majority of space needs anticipated by the District over the next 8 to 10 years. The plan includes the most aggressive timeline possible to resolve the two-building high school situation.

The construction and reconfiguration will provide additional space for grades K-8 and the Early Childhood program. On Nov. 19, the Board selected an architectural firm to provide design work needed for the planned projects. 

Board unanimously approves Long Range Facility Plan

The Board of Education on Sept. 24, 2015, unanimously approved a Long Range Facility Plan to address the majority of space needs anticipated by the District over the next eight to 10 years. The plan includes constructing an addition onto the south high school to accommodate all students in grades 9-12. Construction and reconfiguration will provide additional space for grades K-8 and the Early Childhood Program.

Superintendent Dr. Kari Monsees said the improvements will require a $27 million general obligation bond issue in April 2016, but will not require an increase in the tax levy. Savings from the recent bond refinancing helped maximize the improvements identified with the plan.

The plan was developed with the input of more than 470 patrons over the past year. The Board of Education and the Long Range Facility Planning Team worked diligently to finalize the plan.

Long Range Facility Plan Executive Summary
Long Range Facility Plan