In response to: Charter | Section 11 | Facilities

John Newman [Member] — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:46:01 +0000

This section will require some major editing, as this was a conceptual design based on our best guesses of what the school would look like and what space would be needed to accomodate the school's classes and programs. Nevertheless, I found that many of the original concepts for the building are actually pretty close, and closer than the designs drawn up by VCBO in 2006.
I would be willing to do a major edit of this section if I can make sure I can do that without deleting it.
In general, here are the key changes.
A1. Acting Studio (should specify it should also be able to be used as a blackbox without the addition of the lecture hall)
A2. Lecture Room (this would be the "shared studio" I described in some recent conceptual plans) The number of seats should not be spelled out, but I'd estimate we're looking at a total seating close to 200, comparable to the Black Box at Rose Wagner and the Allred Theatre at Highland. If we're going to be specific about the building here, I'd suggest motorized retractable stadium seating (I've seen manual systems that no one is willing to move)
B. Dance Studio OK as is
C. Music Room OK as is
D. Private music rooms: might need to be in phase one, not space need yet without the full instrumental program
E. Computer lab (pretty close as is, might be in the C200 rooms at Highland or built in phase 2)
F. Scenic Studio (probably phase 2, build east of auditorium
G. Design studio (may be cut, may be doubled with technology lab as so much of design is computer based now)
H. Storage: costume storage about dressing rooms and restrooms possibly, but scenic storage may be best in HH building. It may be possible to create modular units for design and prop construction that would roll into the walls of the foyer area when not being used as a classroom space.
I. Office Suite: amazingly close as is.
J. Restroom and locker room space (this needs to be included in phase I)
K. Elevator will probably be cut, unless we consider a dumb waiter to the storage area above the dressing rooms. It's a big ticket item and I believe the architects concluded one-level construction would be more practical.
As for the Highland spaces, I think we should just mention them summarily: choir room, band room, dance studio, piano lab, and Trapezoid. I don't see these rooms falling into an eventual plan for SPA teacher spaces. We may want to mention auditorium and Allred Theatre specifically, but it might be something like "shared with Highland for certain productions to be negotiated in good faith." We could try to pin that down now, but I think that Paul will be more willing to share those spaces when we can demonstrate that the schools can share them successfully in year 4, and that may take a while.
The calendar section should specify 180 days and 1000 instructional hours (the district's new mandate, higher than USOE's 990 minimum.
The "art program" (visual art) mentioned in the box should be cut. At one point, SPA was looking at including visual art but that was cut early on in the planning.
The activities section should mention that SPA will have an activities only membership in UHSAA to allow students to participate in theatre and music events.
The statement about non-certified teachers should be cut, and actually repeats some of the material in an earlier section on personel. If we need a statement here, it might be along the lines of "all SPA teachers will be certified through USOE through traditional, charter-specific, or alternative route licensure."
Reciprocity between HH and SPA might be addressed in a general way, such as "Most SPA productions will be cast entirely by SPA students, but some may be joint productions with Highland and include students from both schools. Either school may decide to offer audition rights to the other for specific productions."

In response to: Charter | Section 11 | Facilities

Sue Waite-Langley [Member] — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:47:08 +0000

General Comment - The entire first section posted here would probably be more effective if included with the facilities plan. It would make more sense.

[Comment 1] This section should be re-worked by the Artistic Director once hired and his department heads. It also seems that there may be too much allocation of performance space resources on the music and theater departments respective to the dance department as well as too much emphasis on programs outside of the school for these departments. Perhaps AHSDF or ACDF would be a good choice for an annual program for the dancers since programs such as state competitions are not available to them.

[Comment 2] I would strongly suggest that an annual program be put in place to assist senior students in submitting entries for NFAA in the fall.

[Comment 3] Need more specificity here. What extracurricular activities can SPA students participate in? Reciprocity? What activities can Highland students participate in at SPA?

[Comment 4] This section is redundant. Addressed in Faculty section. Can we address the need for waivers there?

SPA Board of Directors - Latest comments on Charter | Section 11 | Facilities

In response to: Charter | Section 11 | Facilities

In response to: Charter | Section 11 | Facilities