The Board of Education, at our February meeting, decided to interview architects to assist the District in planning for additional Elementary classroom space.  Following is a brief chronology of events which has led us to this point.

1. Spring, 1998.  The Board's Buildings and Grounds Committee began developing an outdoor site plan, which eventually resulted in the Norris Park Project south of High School.  In the process, we took time to carefully consider possible future building sites as part of the overall site planning.
   

2. August, 1998.  The Board reviewed the 1993 Hanna:Keelan demographic analysis study of the Norris School District, which had proven to be remarkably accurate in projecting student enrollments in our schools following 1993 up to the present.  We decided to consider proposals to update the study, in light of the new housing addition in Hickman, other numerous additional housing developments throughout the District, the completion of the Highway 77 improvements, and the proposed south beltway.
   

3. Fall, 1998.  Educational Consulting Services of Lincoln and Hanna:Keelan and Associates presented proposals to the Board for conducting a demographic analysis.  An agreement was reached with Hanna:Keelan to conduct the study.
   

4. Spring, 1999.  Hanna:Keelan and Associates presented a status report in March and delivered the final report in April.  The Board and Administration studied the

data and invited Tim Keelan to the May meeting to further discuss the findings.  The data indicated that the Middle School and High School enrollments over the next 15 years appear to be manageable with the current facilities, but that the Elementary enrollment is expected to increase by approximately 100 students by 2004.

5. Summer, 1999.  The Board pursued the study of classroom space needs and options for meeting those needs.  A committee was appointed to lead the way toward tackling that goal -- Board President Patty Bentzinger, Board Member Norm Wallman, Supt. Roy Baker, and Elementary Principal Dave Moorhead constituted that committee.
   

6. Fall, 1999.  Pursuant to recommendations from the Classroom Space Needs Committee, the Board took several actions:
   

7. November, 1999.  The Board and Administration held an afternoon study session to explore the options.  Scott Wieskamp presented estimated cost numbers on the various options for adding Elementary classroom space.  We also brought in Mike DeKalb from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Department to talk about the projected long range growth of Lincoln and the growth

factors which will impact the Norris District.

8. December, 1999.  Based on the Board's feedback at the November meeting, Scott Wieskamp refined his previous schematic design for an addition to the Elementary.  He was asked to develop a design for an addition on the North of the Elementary Building that would include 10 classrooms.  Such a plan would entail relocating some of the trees and playground equipment.  Conceivable there could be an access off Princeton Road for parent pick up and drop off of students.  Adding 10 classrooms would enable the District to have, when needed, 5 sections of each Elementary grade and accommodate all day every day Kindergarten for those parents who would choose that option for their children.  It is too early to tell, but early estimates place the size of the project at $2 million to $3 million.  The Board was unanimous in determining that the project should be moved forward to the next level of consideration and planning.
   

9. Winter, 2000.  The Board decided to invite four architectural firms to the March meeting for interviews, which will begin at 5:00.  The firms that will be interviewed are:  The Architectural Partnership; Sinclair Hille; Bahr Vermeer Haecker; and Dana Larson Roubal.  The Board's intention is to select one of these firms to assist the District as we move forward with planning.