Austin Independent School District administrative offices will do this summer what previous school administrations said was impossible.

Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Austin Independent School District administrative offices will do this summer what previous school administrations said was impossible.

Administrative offices will be moved to Austin High School.

Long anticipated by the public, but deemed too expensive by previous school administrations, the move is a "go."

According to Superintendent Dr. James A. Hess, "We want to limit the disruptions at the high school and maintain the lowest amount of financial expenses to make the move."

Hess reported to the Austin Board of Education at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The school administrative offices will move to the northeast corner of AHS near the intersection of Fourth Street NW and Third Avenue NW.

The superintendent’s office will move into a room formerly occupied by Pat Langlie’s Area Learning Center classroom.

There will be a new reception area for the public and human resources, grants technician, business office, director of business services and educational services offices will take over the former AHS spaces.

Signage on the north side of the building will direct visitors to the new offices. Also, limited-time parking will replace the two-hour parking along Third Avenue NW near the high school building.

According to Hess, moving the administrative offices to the high school means Tiffany Syverson’s occupational therapist room will relocate to Banfield Elementary School. Also, hearing-impaired teacher Katie Ulwelling’s room will relocate to another area of AHS and school psychologist Jody Henning will relocate to Ellis Middle School.

Community education offices in the current school administrative building along Fourth Avenue NE will move to Woodson Community School, while the special education office at Woodson will move to the current community education location.

Adult Basic Education/GED classes will move from the fourth floor at St. Olaf Lutheran Church to the current district administration building.

Bruce Huffert, director of buildings and grounds, has been assisting Hess in the new district office layout at the high school.

Thus far, costs are estimated at $4,930 for new walls and doors, plus another $1,300 for wiring.

"We believe this is probably the best alternative," Hess said.

The actual change-over to the high school building is expected to take place in July.

The state’s workforce development center will rent space in the current district office building.

AHS Principal Joe Brown endorsed the move.

"We are blessed we have so much extra space at the high school," Brown said. "This is a way we can save over $100,000 a year. It’s a great use of space.

School board member Kathy Green said the new high school location offers the district’s administration "aesthetically a very nice space."

The current Christgau Hall entrance at the northeast corner of the high school will remain secured. According to Hess, the district can’t have adequate surveillance of the entrance to allow it to be used.

Brown also said the Area Learning Center teachers have not objected to being relocated.

Hess concluded the discussion with the observation, "The savings will help with budget issues facing the district."

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.