Voters head to the polls on Aug. 2 to decide on a $75 million school bond proposal. The Clarkston News is touring the school district to see where and why it is needed. Wrapping up a series, we check out Clarkston Junior High.
BY TREVOR KEISER
Clarkston News Staff Writer
If the $75 million bond passes, Clarkston Junior High School (CJHS) will be on tap to receive approximately $5.4 million.

Building & Site Improvements
Approximately $1 million would go towards building and site adjustments such as classroom and media center

furniture, remodeling special education areas, and ADA barrier free upgrades.
“Ramps, door operators, parking spots etc,” explained Wes Goodman, executive director of operations for the school district.
Almost an additional $600,000 will be spent on fixtures, furnishings and equipment.

Safety & Security
The district is looking at approximately $3 million, including $1.4 million for demolition, updating fire alarm systems, new canopy, new security cameras and television monitor for the office, and traffic site improvements for better traffic flow and separation of busses and cars. Another $1.5 million is budgeted for “paving replacement” of the parking lots.
“In the morning this place looks like Detroit Metro Airport,” Goodman said.
He said one of the best ways to improve traffic flow would be to have two separate entrances and exits for busses and cars.
As for a safe and secure entrance way, Goodman said they’re looking to possibly extend the front door sidewalk all the way to the office where visitors would have to enter there.
“That would bring them into the building, but hold them in the office until we release them into the rest of the building,” he said.
Currently the front doors lead right into the open reception area by the auditorium.
“Our current system works, but if someone comes in the door there is a maze of ways to go,” Goodman noted.

Educational Technology
There is almost $1.2 million in technology needed for the junior high. This includes $480,000 for audio/video systems, $182,750 for network infrastructure, $124,500 for staff devices and $365,000 for student devices and computer lab replacement.
CJHS will be the first school to get technology upgrades, said Hiedi McClain, the superintendent’s administrative assistant
“In talking with Angela (Harrison, district administrator of technology), she mentioned the technology needs here are probably greater and it has to be much more robust because of the cement block walls all around the building,” McClain said.
“Because this is a one story building to get wireless and run wires it takes a lot more because you’re pulling a lot further,” Goodman added.
Clarkston Junior High School was built in 1959 and can hold a capacity of 1,327. Last year they had 1,199 students.
While the overall list on the junior high is less in comparison to other buildings, Goodman explained because the building is almost 60 years old there has been discussion of how much money they should put into it.
“When we did the master planning and looked at it, we started to approach ‘do you put all this kind of money into it and get another 30-40 years out of a building or do you start to consider we need to demo and start afresh,” he asked. “From things I’ve read, buildings built prior to the 1950’s typically have a historical presence, while buildings in the 1950’s-1980’s are not as much historical and were built quickly without as much sustainability in mind.”
However, the school has had many upgrades in recent years. The auditorium and auxiliary gym were completed with the 2003 bond and opened in 2005, along with new windows, and mechanical work and a new roof were paid with the 1997 bond and completed in 1999, he said.
“So what we’re trying to do here is make it the best for the students we have, but really think long-term what we really need to do here to make it better,” Goodman explained. “I think it’s good to think about because you if do something and then five years from now you’re like ‘oh we shouldn’t have done that because now we need to do this.”
What they currently have planned will be good for 10 years, and if they decide to do some tear down in the future, they would keep the newer parts such as the gyms and auditorium portions, he said.
GMB Architecture and Engineering prepared a master capital list including long-range 10-year plan for all district needs.
For a complete list of bond items and cost on all schools visit www.clarkstonk12.mi.us.