Decker Architects delivered a schematic‑design update to the Silver Consolidated Schools Board on Nov. 17, presenting four concept schemes for the new Cliff (CLIF) combined school and flagging a central decision point: whether to renovate the existing gym or build a new one.

Juan Dorado, Decker’s principal in charge, told the board the design committee’s work started with the district’s vision and that the team prioritized flexible learning spaces, long‑life, low‑maintenance construction and honoring community legacy. “At the end of the day, it is about the kids,” Dorado said, noting the schematic phase follows an approved programming packet submitted to the public school facility authority.

Decker said a gym assessment found renovation would run roughly 58–59% of the cost of new construction. That percentage matters because, Dorado said, a 60% threshold often tips the balance toward replacement in PSFA evaluations; he advised the board that the choice is now the district’s responsibility. “If the value to renovate a facility is 60% of the cost of new construction, then they recommend you proceed forward with a total replacement project,” he said.

The firm presented two favored concepts — described as variants of a “flow” scheme — that differ mainly in site layout and how they treat the gym and key adjacencies: main gym, auxiliary gym and cafeteria. One favored variant keeps the existing gym and builds around it, which the superintendent and some board members said would reduce unknowns but could cause long renovation timelines and program disruptions. The alternate favored variant sequences construction so a new gym and cafeteria would be built first, allowing programs such as basketball and graduations to continue with less interruption.

Superintendent William Hawkins urged the board to weigh practical tradeoffs: renovating preserves legacy and known logistics but risks hidden structural work and extended downtime; building new can keep campus operations running but requires planning for new site footprints and potential program compromises. Hawkins said the committee is close to choosing a direction and that Decker will continue to refine the selected scheme with community feedback.

Decker invited the community to share comments (comment cards are available at the Cliff central office) and said the firm would remain engaged with events such as basketball games to share updates. The board took no final design vote at the meeting and directed staff to continue the design‑committee process and return with more detailed options.

The next procedural steps Decker outlined were design development and construction documents, followed by a competitive bid for a contractor once the board and committee select a scheme.