Chaparral Middle School Replacement Change of Plans

The Alamogordo Public School (APS) Board has made the decision to relocate the Chaparral Middle School replacement to its current location, citing new information that would cause significant construction delays at the proposed site on Fairgrounds Road.

The move is pending approval by the Alamogordo City Commission to agree to a reversal of the original land swap.

The APS Board is hopeful that the City Commission will recognize the importance of this decision in ensuring the completion of the middle school replacement.

During the APS Board meeting on June 21, 2023, crucial information was presented, revealing potential complications that would hinder the construction progress of the new school at the proposed location. The complication arose from a new requirement for APS to consider the implication of the 100-year flood plan. As with many areas in the city, the proposed site falls within a zone that could be susceptible to a 100-year flood. Consequently, certain changes and improvements would need to be implemented on the property.

While funding is available for these enhancements, the collaborative effort with multiple federal and state agencies as well as surrounding property owners, necessary for the approval and completion of the work, could significantly delay the construction of the new school.

The APS Board conducted an evaluation of the information presented during the meeting. This included learning that the soil composition at both sites are very similar. The mitigation recommendations at each site is the same and are included in the budget. To gain further insight, interested parties can view the full presentation on the APS YouTube channel at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/b6gft-_0E-Q?feature=share

The design team, Studio Southwest Architects, anticipates that the construction costs for the buildings will remain very similar, regardless of the selected site.

However, there is an opportunity for reduced construction costs for the site work if the project is relocated to the existing Chaparral Middle School site, allowing for the potential addition of extra school and site enhancements.

To ensure the feasibility of the relocation, the design team reviewed the current designed building footprints and their compatibility with the new site. The assessment concluded that the current designed building footprints do fit on the existing Chaparral Middle School site, providing confidence in the viability of the relocation plan.

The APS Board is cognizant of the importance of moving forward and building this new middle school as quickly as possible. 

“An amazing learning environment for students and staff has been designed and we are dedicated to getting this project underway without further delay," said Alamogordo School Board President Judy Rabon. "Based on the facts and concerns regarding the site selection for this project, the decision to construct the new school at its present location was made.”

By relocating the project to the existing middle school site, the board aims to expedite the construction process and ensure a smooth transition for the students and staff.

Pam Renteria, Acting Superintendent shared, "We faced unexpected challenges and time restrictions with the initial site for our new school, however, our priority at APS has always been to provide the best learning environment for our students. Through careful consideration, the Board of Education made the decision to move the school back to its original site. This change ensures that we can deliver a high-quality educational experience without compromising our standards. Our commitment to excellence remains unwavering, and we are confident that this adjustment will ultimately benefit our students, staff, and the entire school community."

Construction of the school has already been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and then by the escalating costs of building materials and supply chain issues, which led to the request of an increase in funding for the new school through the Public School Capital Outlay Council (PSCOC). An additional $10 million has been awarded to the project.

The Chaparral replacement presentation cited in the release on the APS YouTube Channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/live/b6gft-_0E-Q?feature=share

The move to the Griggs Field area has been plagued with questions and controversy since it was first considered. Old times o Alamogordo had mentioned concerns about flood plains in the area and was this swap really good for APS or better for the city of Alamogordo. Alamogordo Public schools just partially passed a bond measure for other schools enhancements in infrastructure. This project is fully funded.

Several members of the school board are up for election this fall in what is sure to be heated races given the recent Moms of Liberty spokeswoman who visited Alamogordo and riled up the base.

The position of Superintendent is still in flux as well given the lawsuit filed by the Flickinger Center and Lori Black against APS. The result of that lawsuit has had repercussions well beyond APS.  

Interim School Superintendent Pam Renteria has been very visible, transparent and public showcasing many of the positives of the APS programs since her appointment. 

And a reminder the new school year is just around the corner. The APS school supply list for the 2023-24 school year is now available! You can see it below and also find a printable pdf version of the list on our website at the following link: https://www.alamogordoschools.org/students/school-supplies.stml

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