[Winona] High School remodeling

[Phil Carlson]

I will jump into the discussion of rumors about the high school remodeling
project, admitting at the outset that my father is the project architect
(although I have very little personal knowledge of the details of this job),
and that I am not a Winona resident and taxpayer.

With those disqualifications, let me say that we haven't heard a definitive
answer from the School Board or administration on what parts of the rumors
are true or not.  When don't know, the best thing is to ask for answers and
clarification, and not jump to conclusions, let alone nasty comments, until
we have them.

Also, please don't dismiss out of hand the idea of "interior designers" or
"cherry wood floors".  I believe the intent of the comments was to cast the
project as lavish and out of control.  I can speak from decades of
experience in public construction projects that often the cheapest upfront
cost is not always the best in the long run.  There are numerous examples of
modest cost increases in design and materials that pay off huge dividends
over the life of the project.  An astute School Board and administration
should insist on life-cycle cost savings, not immediate lowest cost
construction.  Often money spent on experienced professionals, like
architects, engineers, interior designers, attorneys, management
consultants, etc., can save lots of money and other headaches.

And just because the school district is run on a slim budget does not mean
we punish employees in a new space with the most spartan and lifeless
surroundings imaginable.  A good share of the district's budget is devoted
to salaries, and here again the studies will show that we get more
productivity from employees who are well-treated in comfortable,
well-designed spaces than from the lowest cost furnishings.

Of course we should be vigilant with our tax dollars, but let's look at the
life cycle and not just at the initial project cost.

- Phil Carlson, Mpls





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