The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals is expected to release its opinion on
Sandy resident Kathleen Walker’s appeal of the City of Sandy’s approval of
the new Sandy High School by Friday, Dec. 17.

The hearing on the appeal was held on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

Walker and fellow Sandy resident Ron Bush originally appealed a number of
elements of the project to Sandy City Council, including pedestrian access,
ball field lighting and the use of Cor-ten steel, after the city planning
commission’s originally approved plans in the spring.

The LUBA decision can be appealed to the Oregon Court of Appeals, while the
losing party may be required to pay the winning party’s costs for the appeal,
which could include delays to the project.

Construction at the site has been ongoing, and Project Manager Debbie
Pearson reports that the building’s foundations and retaining walls are
underway.

Hollow core plank flooring at the band and choir rooms are expected to be
installed at the beginning of December.

Pearson added that the school project is currently on budget, while Oregon
Trail School District Communications Director Julia Monteith noted the project
is on schedule with no delays caused by the appeal.

Hoffman Construction Company has a webcam on its Web site,
hoffmanshs.com, to view the latest images from the construction site.

Meanwhile, Tim Belanger, district business director, reports that the budget
reserve of approximately $4.3 million has allowed for the addressing of “a
handful of critical classroom staffing concerns without undermining the current
budget plan.”

He added that steps the district took in the past two years will help with the
expected loss of federal stimulus funds and an increase in Public Employee
Retirement System costs in 2011 and 2012, totaling more than $2 million.

“That said, state revenue continues to struggle and it is entirely possible the
state may reduce school funding mid-year this year,” Belanger said in an e-
mail.

Belanger added that a December state economic forecast will “begin that
discussion,” while more specific information for the district is not expected
until next year.