School Board approves temporary Douglass High School relocation lease
The Columbia School Board approved Monday evening a lease proposal with Cornerstone Insurance for Douglass High School’s temporary location.
The board met Monday at 6:30 p.m. at CPS headquarters on West Worley Street.
Superintendent Dr. Peter Stiepleman said the one-year relocation lasts for the 2016-17 school year. The Columbia school board has allocated $5 million in renovations and improvements to aging Douglass High School, which CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark says was built in 1916.
Columbia School District voters approved the improvements in a 2014 bond issue. Baumstark tells ABC 17 News the renovations and improvements will include roof, electric, water and security upgrades. Baumstark says renovations will begin this summer at the school, which is near Providence.
The proposal before the board says the expected annual cost of the lease and relocation expense is $240,000 to $250,000, and would be added to the current operating budget model for 2016-17. The board will vote Monday night on a proposal to relocate Douglass High School for one year to 3100 Falling Leaf Lane in Columbia, which is where William Woods’ Columbia campus is located.
Baumstark says this was the district’s best available option for a classroom environment. The district will pay $17,625 in monthly rent.
Douglass’ principal showed ABC 17’s Lindsey Berning some of the problems inside the aging building in October. Some of those problems included an outdated heating system, cracked floors, aging restrooms and ramps that are not ADA-compliant.
