State Mercer study recommends renovating Jackson Elementary to house Frontier Academy

Steve McDonald of the state School Facilities Division told the Fremont County School District #25 board that a state‑funded Mercer (most cost‑effective remedy) study concluded renovating Jackson Elementary is the most cost‑effective way to meet capacity needs for Frontier Academy Alternative High School.

The study, presented by principal architect Will Weddermire of Stasis Design, compared four scenarios — renovating Jackson Elementary; renovating and adding onto Frontier’s current facility; reusing Rendezvous Elementary with partial demolition; and building a new facility. "The Mercer is deemed to be the remedy that provides the greatest benefit at the least cost," McDonald said during the work session.

Weddermire said the team modeled enrollment and space needs for an academy cap of about 75 students, which the team projected could be reached around 2028. Using guidelines that allocate roughly 211 square feet per alternative high school student, the study estimated an allowable building size of about 15,825 square feet for a 75‑student program. The current Frontier facility was reported at roughly 8,500 square feet (capacity about 39 students), and the team compiled a program of classrooms and specialty spaces to meet the larger enrollment.

After scoring each option on site impacts, community impacts, operations and educational outcomes and then plotting cost against benefit, Weddermire said the Jackson renovation scored highest (281) and was also the least costly option. "Renovation of Jackson scored highest at 281," he said. The presentation estimated the Jackson renovation at roughly $9.2 million–$9.3 million.

Supporters of the Jackson option in the presentation cited efficient use of existing district property, adequate access to utilities and infrastructure, minimized construction impacts, and alignment with community expectations. The study also noted that renovating Jackson would maximize use of existing district facilities — for example, preserving a gym and site amenities that could support Frontier programming — and would contribute to district‑level reductions in excess square footage if demolition elsewhere follows.

The plan for Jackson would limit visible exterior alterations in some areas but would require adding about 24 parking stalls to meet site standards and improve access to the front entry for security reasons, the presenters said. The team flagged Option 2 (renovate the current facility with a 7,300‑square‑foot addition) as less favorable because of parking constraints and impacts on district fields. Reusing Rendezvous would have reduced square footage most but scored lower on other criteria, and a new facility carried higher initial cost in the cost‑benefit comparison.

McDonald told the board the state is arranging an estimate to demolish parts of Rendezvous if the Mercer recommendation leads to a new construction path that frees that site for demolition. He also outlined the next procedural steps: the board was holding this as a work session and is scheduled to vote formally later this month; if the board concurs and the School Facilities Commission adopts the Mercer remedy at its June 24–25 meeting, the state would then seek legislative funding, with construction funding — if approved — earliest available the following July.

The work session closed with board members asking clarifying questions about parking and entry location; presenters emphasized that some site decisions remain district prerogatives. The board is expected to consider a formal vote on whether to concur with the Mercer recommendation at an upcoming meeting this month.