Bordewich-Bray looking forward to bond

Except for a few "disgruntled drivers" who have ignored barricades, school officials say the closure of Thompson Street during school hours is working.

"It's definitely helped to get kids across the street in a safe manner," said Mike Mitchell, director of operations for the Carson City School District.

"People are getting used to it. There's not been a big controversy."

The portion of the street between Bordewich-Bray Elementary School and the performance hall of the Brewery Arts Center will be closed throughout the school year.

Students cross the street during the day to attend music, English-as-a-second language classes as well as visit the library.

The portable buildings that once housed those programs were destroyed over the summer after they were found to be infested with three types of toxic mold.

School officials are leasing the basement of the old St. Teresa Church to make up for the lost space. But the solution is temporary.

Voters will decide in November's election whether to pass a $3.75-million bond which would fund a permanent addition to the elementary school.

Principal Sue Keema said although teachers and students are adjusting well to the new accommodations, she is hopeful the tax neutral bond will pass.

"They made lemonade out of lemons," she said. "The children and the teachers deserve more space. We can't rent from the Brewery Arts Center."

Mitchell said he and other officials will make presentations to service clubs in Carson City in the remaining weeks before the bond to conjure up support.

Keema and LuAnn Tucker, PTA president, also are meeting with PTAs from other schools to plan walks in surrounding neighborhoods to raise awareness of the bond.

Mitchell also assured school board members during Tuesday's meeting that children in the Brewery Arts Center were safe, despite not being connected to the school's public address system.

"We have a good method of communication by telephones and we're trying to get them radios," he said.

He said he also is looking into a way to connect the two buildings through a satellite-communication system.