Alpine School District will Continue the Space Center Program
There is mis-information circulating about the closure of the Christa
McAuliffe Space Center. It is important that employees and community
members have correct, factual information about the decision. Please
read the following:
The following news release was sent on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
News Release
The Christa McAuliffe Space Center, which has been housed in Central
Elementary School in Pleasant Grove, has been closed due to safety
reasons. The Fire Marshal closed the Space Center in early October
because of electrical problems. Alpine School District Officials
notified Central Elementary School as well as the Program Director
that the Space Center would not be re-opened in its current location.
Superintendent Vern Henshaw has directed a committee to explore
options for a Space Center, which will then be presented to the ASD
Board of Education.
When the state fire marshal closed the center, district officials
hired an architectural firm to assess and provide an estimate of the
cost of repairs. The desire was to bring the center up to code if at
all possible. Sadly, the cost to correct electrical problems and
address the myriad of student safety problems was nearly $700,000.
Board members and district administrators felt it was not wise to use
taxpayer money to repair an aging facility when a new facility is in
future plans.
The plan is to expand on the remarkable legacy of the Space Center as
we learn from the past and look to the future.
Victor Williamson has been the director of the Space Center since it
opened in 1990. He is serving on a committee that will explore and
present options about the future of the Space Center Program. The
options will be presented to the Superintendent and the Board of
Education, who will ultimately make the decision.
The committee will be discussing all possibilities about both the
location of the center, as well as the curriculum. There are no plans
to discontinue the use of the simulators as part of the Space Center
Program. The committee will have discussions about ways to add to the
current curriculum.
Safety of the students is a top priority in Alpine School District.
The Space Center has been a great program in our district for the past
22 years. Board Members and district administrators are excited to
continue having an excellent space program in a safe environment for
students and faculty members.
District officials and board members have been aware of the needs of
the Space Center. The project was on the original 2011 Bond Project
proposal. Due to prioritization through public input, the final
proposal did not include the re-build of the Space Center. However, it
remains a focus of the Board of Education. Several years ago, property
was purchased by ASD adjacent to Central Elementary School as an
option for a future site of the Space Center. ASD continues to value
the Space Center and the impact it has had for several years. It is
for this reason Dr. Henshaw has directed the formation of the
committee.
The following statement was released by Alpine School District on
Thursday, October 25:
“Alpine School District has every intention of preserving the Space
Center Program. There is mis-information circulating about the
program’s demise. The only change is the closing of the facility in
the current location. This decision was made because of safety
reasons. District Board Members and administrators are excited to have
the 22 year program continue. This is a great opportunity for the
committee to look at the program and make it even better.”
The committee will be meeting on November 2. Please visit the ASD
website for updated information.
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