School board votes to mothball St. Andrew School, move students to Oakland Terrace

News Herald (Panama City, FL)

May 08-- May 8--PANAMA CITY -- On Tuesday, the Bay District School Board voted to "mothball" an additional school for the 19/20 school year and, after lengthy deliberation, agreed on coverage for the district's property insurance renewal -- just in time for the 2019 hurricane season.

The board unanimously agreed upon the mothballing of St. Andrew School, per Superintendent Bill Husfelt's recommendation, after the campus sustained significant damage from Hurricane Michael. Positioned in the heart of historic downtown St. Andrews, the campus is a historic site in Panama City and is the oldest continuously operating school in Bay County.

That historic charm, though, comes with additional cost to repair, according to Lee Walters, Director of Facilities. Repairing buildings on the historical registry cost, on average, around twice that of repairing a modern building and require special materials and a contractor with training in historical preservation. Repairs to the school are estimated to cost up to $5 million.

St. Andrew School serves students with social, emotional and behavioral difficulties. Per Tuesday's vote, the St. Andrew School students will be moved to Oakland Terrace, which earlier this year the board voted to "mothball," as that school already has a secure entryway, larger classrooms and a designated area for parent drop-off and pick-up. The move will also free up the numerous portable classrooms being used at St. Andrew School and result in fewer operating costs for the district.

"It's using the best of what we have at this point," Walters said. "No matter what, if you said for me to go ahead and do it, the students wouldn't be in the best situation."

Following the decision to mothball St. Andrew School, the board deliberated over three options for the district's property insurance renewal for the upcoming school year.

Option #1 at $2,080,750 would give the district $100 million in blanket coverage with $50 million for wind coverage. Option #2 at $2,966,975 would give the district $150 million in blanket coverage and $100 million in wind coverage. Finally, Option #3 at $3,687,225 would give the district $150 million in blanket coverage and $150 million in wind coverage.

Hurricane Michael has caused premiums to skyrocket, with the smallest policy option almost doubling the current school year's premium cost. That being said, it was up to the board to decide whether or not a lower premium on an already tight budget was worth risking peace of mind in case of another disaster.

Initially, member Jerry Register motioned to approve Option #1, with support from Pamm Chapman. As Ryan Neves was absent from the meeting, the vote was split 50/50 with Steve Moss and Ginger Littleton dissenting.

The next vote brought Option #2 to the table, but the board was split again, with Moss and Littleton's support and Register and Chapman voting no.

However, after consulting with Jim Loyed, Chief Financial Officer, and Tracy Smith, Risk Manager, Chapman was swayed to move her support behind the Option #2.

"It's all about risk. This time next year I'll tell you whether it was a good idea or not," said Loyed. "I went with the middle of the road. It's similar to what we currently have."

The board also agreed to a $12,800 additional policy option for Active Shooter damage that would provide up to $1 million worth of coverage for counseling services, public relations, and property damage.

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