As we look towards the future of our community, I want to bring to your attention a critical need that we must address to ensure the success and readiness of our students: the replacement of Ponderosa Middle School.
Klamath Falls is on the cusp of growth, and we need to be prepared to meet the educational demands of our expanding population. Last year, during our community conversations, we received a clear message: our community wants our youth to be life and career-ready. Specifically, there is a strong desire for more hands-on, applied learning opportunities, such as Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.
Effective career-ready programs must begin with robust middle school initiatives. During the Board’s visit to California last year, we saw firsthand the exceptional programs at Mad Tech Middle, which serve as an inspiring model for what we can achieve here. These programs are essential for setting our students on a successful path through high school and beyond.
Our district is diligently working to build these programs at the high school level and forge strong connections to postgraduate destinations like the Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) and Klamath Community College (KCC). However, to truly accelerate our students along this track, we need a middle school that supports and enhances these efforts. Unfortunately, the current Ponderosa Middle School is outdated and does not meet the needs of our evolving educational goals.
The urgency of this need cannot be overstated. While the current middle school building is safe, our engineers have indicated that it could become unusable at any time because it is located on an active fault line. Our trusted advisors and the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee have unanimously agreed that the time to act is now.
We estimate the budget for replacing Ponderosa Middle School to be around $120 million. This number may fluctuate slightly up or down as we consider incorporating other essential items, such as security upgrades and early learning facility support, into the overall bond. We may also determine that we can build at a lower cost depending on what year we decide to call a bond election to support the possible project in the future.
Replacing Ponderosa Middle School is not just about updating a building; it is about investing in the future of our community and ensuring that our youth have the tools and opportunities they need to succeed in life and their careers.
We appreciate your continued support and engagement as we take these crucial steps forward. Together, we can create an educational environment that prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.
Over the next year, we will engage more with our stakeholders about Ponderosa. We will also schedule tours of the building for the community to see the current facility.
We do want to be very clear that we have not set any date for a potential Bond election. We just want to make sure our community is aware that we are working on a solution to replace Ponderosa on a different site that does not have an active fault line on it.
For anyone who has any questions about his message please e-mail Keith A. Brown at brownk@kfalls.k12.or.us.
Ponderosa Middle School Facilities Tour 6 PM to 7 PM on Thursday, Nov. 7
A note from the Superintendent
Dear Klamath Falls City Schools community,
We’re excited to invite you to a special building tour at Ponderosa Middle School. This event will provide a unique chance to view the school’s development over the years and discuss our plans for ensuring an enriching, supportive learning environment for our students and staff.
Ponderosa Middle School has served our community for decades, but its structural foundation has naturally adapted over the years due to its location on a known fault line. While the building remains a safe and welcoming place for learning, changes in construction standards and school building practices prompt us to plan for the future. The tour will offer insights into the current state of the building and its structural history, as well as address our long-term vision for Ponderosa Middle School.
Our primary goal is to keep our students and staff safe and to anticipate the needs of future generations of learners. With this proactive approach, we are laying the groundwork for potential improvements, including an eventual replacement of the facility to accommodate modern learning and safety standards better.
Please join us for this facility tour:
Date: Thursday, November 7
Time: 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Location: Ponderosa Middle School
This will be a great opportunity to connect with school leaders, share your thoughts, and see the lasting impact of Ponderosa Middle School on our community. We look forward to welcoming you to this meaningful event!
Regards,
Keith A. Brown
Superintendent
Klamath Falls City Schools