LTUSD begins study into what Al Tahoe Elementary could look like in future

The conversation has started on what to do at the former site of Al Tahoe Elementary School after the passage of Proposition 51 in the November election which will create $9 billion in funding for the state's schools. During a study session at the Lake Tahoe Unified School District's (LTUSD) Board of Trustee meeting Tuesday, staff and trustees starting looking the future function of the school that closed in 2004 due to declining enrollment.

LTUSD has the seed money to begin renovation of the Al Tahoe facility, modernize the look and feel of classrooms, and possibly leverage the $500 million State modernization fund. It will still be about two years before any building or remodeling can occur, but LTUSD has started the conversation.

The old school was built in 1958 which means, at a minimum, it will need new plumbing, floors, siding, and replacement of portable classrooms that are 25 years old, about five years past their normal lifespan. Prop. 51 funds can be used are bringing the building up to par, but other grants and funding sources can also be sought to do even more to the building.

Since closing, the former school has been home to the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe (BGCLT) as well as many other educational and non-profit purposes.

What is being planned at Al Tahoe three things:

Development of District employee infant and childcare center - An infant and toddler room for District employees at a reduced rate ($15 per day) staring in the fall 2017. They can use two rooms previously unoccupied for that purpose, leaving the Boys & Girls Club in their current quarters until their future home is decided.

Development of a state-of-the-art STEAM academy education program with focus on robotics and engineering in preschool to 5th grade - Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics focus for the school. Arts compliments the other four concentrations and would be good for students in South Lake Tahoe. Staff has already been attending training on how this could work at Al Tahoe. They want to start building a community of experts now to help teach in the future.

Branch of Lake Tahoe Community College and Sierra Nevada College Teacher Preparation Program which will serve as a lab school to allow college students to earn an Elementary Education credential while staying South Lake Tahoe.

This was the first of many discussions and workshops as LTUSD moves forward with plans for the school building. Governor Brown isn't expected to release the first round of funds from Prop. 51 for a year which gives time to plan and look for other opportunities to add to the funding through grants. They will look at the pros and cons of reopening Al Tahoe as an elementary school as soon as 2019, other ways to best the use the facility.

Eventually BGCLT will be leaving the premises, but they aren't being forced out. They have grown too big for the facility and are looking at relocating now that Measure P has passed, providing money for a new recreation facility and possible new home for the club. If they don't move there, a new "clubhouse" is being considered nearby.