Superintendent Dr. Ainsworth told the Coos Bay School District 9 board that the district will relocate its central office into the currently underused Milner Press building and use space freed at the current district site to expand student programs, including alternative education.

Dr. Ainsworth said the move is intended to avoid asking the community for a new bond and to make better use of district-owned buildings. He said the plan will be phased: initial remodeling of the south/front hallway to create district office space (phase 1), relocating staff this summer as space allows (phase 2), evaluating additional student programs for the north side (phase 3), and later remodeling remaining space for new student programs (phase 4).

The superintendent said the change would let the district expand offerings now located at Milner Press — for example, Destination programs and online learning — and provide room for “destinations, little pirates, expand our online program” and other alternatives. He described the move as part of a strategy to “maximize instructional space” and to provide more choices for students without asking voters to fund another building.

Board members pressed administration for details about building safety, electrical capacity and cost. Kent/Marina and others reported the district consulted an engineer (Joe Slack) and a local electrician (Kyle Electric). According to the staff update, the engineer found the building “sturdy” despite past reports of settling; Kyle Electric’s review found the corridor already “overwired” and able to support additional devices with only modest wiring work. Marina (staff) said the district expects to rely on capital-project funds and planned allocations to pay for the remodel. The administration said initial cost estimates for the work necessary to open classrooms and district office space are modest (a working planning figure of about $250,000 was discussed for near-term remodels), while larger projects such as a full HVAC/major renovation or a new roof elsewhere would require additional budgeting.

Board members raised sentimental concerns about the long-time use of the Milner Press site as the district office and asked for more detail on costs and timeline. Staff said classroom-by-classroom quotes are being collected and that remodeling work could begin this spring and continue into the summer, with staff moves targeted for this summer depending on project timing.

The superintendent also emphasized that the current plan keeps district office functions separate from student spaces for safety and operations: “Adults, we can run out the back door, we can get up the hill in a tsunami,” he said, while students are better located in buildings designed for learners.

The board asked for follow-up information on estimated remodeling costs, a detailed timeline for phases 1–4 and a list of program changes that would follow the move. Staff said a supplemental capital budget amendment would be brought forward in March to authorize immediate, limited work so relocations could be completed before the new fiscal year.

Ending: Administration will return with line-item cost estimates, a refined timeline and the March supplemental budget request covering initial work. The board did not take a binding vote on the move that night but directed staff to continue planning and to present the funding request at the next budget meeting.