A book has come to our attention that describes how to build the best possible schools. It is Planning and Designing Schools, by the late C. William Brubaker of the Perkins and Will Architectural firm. Dr. Dixon is mentioned for supervising the construction of Ft. Collins High School which it seems Brubaker had a hand in. Here’s how the school looks in Google Earth.
Compare this to the latest plans for Ordean High. (NOTE: this Ordean image is a hair larger than it should be for the comparison.)
What does this expert who cites the Fort Collin’s site tell us about the history of high school sites? In the 1920’s high school sites were 20 acres, after World War II sites were 40 acres. In the 1970’s sites increased to 50 acres in suburban and rural areas, and now sites are 60 to 80 acres.
Ordean’s usable space without variances which will put students at risk is only 10.8 acres half of what was expected in the 1920’s.
Anyone who doubts that a new school board will have to use eminent domain to take additional property is as unquestioning as the current school board. But don’t worry. Everything this Board does is legal.
