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No delays seen for Lake Creek school BY VICKI GUARINO EAGLE POINT -- Construction bids are high, but not too high to delay or scale back construction of a small, rural school in eastern Jackson County. Despite costs of about $1 million, the three-room Lake Creek Learning Center still is expected to open its doors by year's end. The district had budgeted $750,000 for the project -- a three-room school about 10 miles east of Eagle Point. The lowest acceptable bid came in at $1.045 million. "The board I believe to the person is committed to the project," incoming Eagle Point Superintendent Bill Jones said Friday. "I believe it will all be worked out." Fred Thomas, one of the board members who raised questions about the bidding process earlier this month, agreed that support for the small school is strong. He said the school will improve education for area youngsters by bringing the classroom closer to their families and community, and help relieve an overcrowding problem at Eagle Point schools. The board is scheduled to take up the contract issue Thursday. Thomas said his only concern was that no Eagle Point-area contractor had submitted a bid. Thomas said he wants to find out why before he votes to approve a contract. Other board members have been more concerned about the cost. Jones said they asked for a comparison of costs between this project and other school-building projects. The subsequent comparison, Jones said, shows that the learning center building overall is less expensive than some larger schools. Funding for the project is to come from a combination of loans and state funding that, in the end, balance all expenses and make the project self-sufficient. District finance director Mark Sorensen said a special state allotment, due the Lake Creek community because of its distance to local schools -- 20 miles and more for some families -- will pay off a construction loan. The new school's share of standard state school support funds will pay operation costs. Because construction costs appear to exceed the district's original budget, one option being discussed is to extend the loan repayment period. Jones said taking a 13-year payoff instead of a planned 10-year payoff could cover the added costs with existing revenues. The building itself already is modest, Jones added, so scaling back the project is not seen as a viable alternative. The project has been in the works for about four years. Land near Highway 140 at the Lake Creek intersection already has been turned over to the district for the project. Eagle Point teacher Georgina Kennedy has headed the project. Kennedy lives in Lake Creek and will be the school's first and only teacher when classes begin. Much of the community has supported and assisted the effort, Kennedy said. Although some residents worry that establishment of a local school will hasten growth by making the ranching community more desirable to families, other say the school will attract quality development and families that can contribute to the community. As a parent and educator, Kennedy sees big benefits to the 50 or so kids living in the area. She said long drives to schools in Eagle Point are a hardship for families. Distance limits both student and family involvement in schools and school-related activities. And, she said, the smaller school can better educate students. In comparison to the 75-100 maximum enrollment in Lake Creek, Glenn D. Hale Elementary, where Kennedy now teaches, serves some 390 kids. "Research as proven to me that a small school is one of the things that make a difference." Kennedy expects the school to open with about 20 students in first through fifth grades. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA