Two East Side elementaries top pared-down list for St. Paul school overhauls

Weeks after putting major building renovations on hold, the St. Paul school district is considering moving forward with a small group of projects that underwent some design work.

Just two, however, match the scale of the ambitious makeovers that sent costs soaring and triggered a recent monthslong review of the district's facilities-management practices.

They involve improvements to two East Side schools: Frost Lake Elementary and American Indian Magnet, the latter of which serves students from preschool to eighth grade.

Superintendent Joe Gothard told school board members last month that they likely will be asked to vote on the projects — along with the bond sale to finance them — at their Dec. 17 meeting.

But in a nod to the concerns raised over the first wave of projects, he said he was being cautious, as well.

"You need to hear me out: I will have no problem slowing this down if I feel that we're not making the right kind of traction," Gothard said.

His comments came in a meeting during which he also stated that the district may have about 950 fewer students, generating less revenue than a year ago. Enrollment, in turn, could influence which buildings are improved and when.

"We want to make sure that we're making really wise investments," Gothard said.

Board Member Jon Schumacher said the district also must be sure to tell individual school communities how they fit into what is to be a long-range plan to fix and improve facilities citywide. People should not think they're "being left out of the lottery," he said.

The projects expected to be submitted to the board this month include:

Neighborhood: Dayton's Bluff

Original: 1924

Features: Four-story learning addition plus new administrative and event spaces

Estimated cost (2016): $29 million

Estimated cost (2019): $38.5 million

Neighborhood: St. Anthony Park

Original: 1954

Features: Renovation of central kitchen plus conversion of warehouse and cooler areas into offices

Estimated cost (2016): $8.6 million

Estimated cost (2019): $15 million

Neighborhood: Greater East Side

Original: 1964

Features: Renovation of learning spaces plus kitchen and administrative additions

Estimated cost (2016): $16.8 million

Estimated cost (2019): $25.5 million

Neighborhood: Payne/Phalen

Original: 1930

Features: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement plus playground and parking lot improvements

Estimated cost (2016): $3.7 million

Estimated cost (2018): $5 million

Neighborhood: North End

Original: 1996

Features: Artificial turf field plus roof and running track replacements

Estimated cost: Not available

Anthony Lonetree • 612-673-4109