A task force looking at changes to high schools in Grand Rapids Public Schools is now recommending the district go from four to three comprehensive high schools, with traditional facilities remaining at Creston, Ottawa Hills and Union.  And we know when paying for much of the plan might be on the ballot.

Voters could be asked to pay for much of the changes come May or November 2009. District administrators have said private donations will cover some of the cost of the plan, now estimated at between $202 and $243 million.

Initial recommendations called for only two traditional high schools, Ottawa Hills and Union. Under the new task force recommendations, Creston would remain a traditional program to serve the northeast side, “with the caveat that in five years, we’re going to step back and look to see if the numbers justify keeping it as a comprehensive high school,” spokesman John Helmholdt told 24 Hour News 8.

The plan still includes “major” building renovations to the buildings proposed to remain comprehensive as well as renovations to Central and City high schools.

The Central campus would host a theme high school focused on health and science and the Montessori high school. Central already has a health-science school-within-a-school program and the Montessori high school program already operates within the Central building.

City High will also serve as a theme-based school, including the International Baccalaureate program already under development there and the “Economicology” program with its focus on the economy and the environment.

School board members reviewed the task force’s new recommendations Monday. According to a district statement, the recommendations also include moving alternative high school programs to the traditional high school facilities, although some “separate, stand-alone” facilities would remain.

The task force included parents, teachers, administrators and some from the original community committee