B.O.E. discusses future uses for school buildings
With construction of the new elementary school building moving full steam ahead, the Holton school board took time at Monday’s meeting to look into the future regarding decisions that could affect the final building product as well options for how to utilize the current elementary buildings once the new facility is complete.
Multiple options were looked at regarding the diamond building at the old Colorado site that will remain in operation and under USD 336 ownership, from storage to office space to housing sixth-grade classes.
One opportunity that superintendent Dennis Stones and assistant superintendent Joe Kelly kept coming back to, though, was the potential to use the building for pre-school classes.
With growing concerns at the state level regarding the new one-to-one initiative (that states there must be one “role model” student for every special education student), there is a push to get more funding for in-district pre-schools and a chance for Holton to get some of that funding, though how much is not known at this time.
The plan would be to institute a four-day pre-school schedule in the district (at the diamond building) with six sections in total. A section is a half day and there would be room for three teachers teaching two sections each day. The district currently employs two pre-school teachers.
As of right now, USD 336 teachers also get into the community-based pre-schools to help meet the requirements of the one-to-one initiative, though having more room in the district buildings would also help facilitate those needs, it was reported. Stones noted this idea was not meant to “step on any toes.” It is merely the district thinking of how best to serve its students and its community.
“We’re trying to get on the front edge. We’re not in competition. We’re not trying to compete with our local pre-schools,” Stones said.
One question a number of board members raised, to make sure it was one option on the table, was the relocation of the special education co-operative.
Stones noted that is one of the constants (along with returning the mobile units) in the building shuffling plans, moving the special education offices, and placing the co-op in the diamond building would still leave three classrooms that could be utilized for the pre-school program.
“I think we have the facilities to do what we’re asking to do,” Stones said.
As many options as there are for the diamond building at Colorado, there is an equally abundant number of choices regarding the future of the Central Elementary building across town, whether the district uses it, rents it or sells it to the city to use as a recreational center.
The board gave the go-ahead for Stones to talk to the city about the latter option and also asked to see a list of all the potential ways the district buildings could be used moving forward.
Greg Schulz of Nabholz Construction was also on hand at the meeting to give a progress report on current work, noting the district is still in good shape financially regarding the new elementary building project, as it has retained its full contingency of nearly $450,000.
The schedule is starting to “line up perfectly” as well, with Schulz noting that ongoing steel work will wrap up in mid-November, giving students an opportunity to get a first look and do a “beam signing.”
Meanwhile, the roof of the building will go on right before Christmas and Schulz said by then the work will be to a point where the company can potentially offer walkthroughs to show members of the community the progress.
With vertical construction happening rapidly at this point, Greg Porter of Hollis and Miller noted the board (and special committees) can start to focus on the interior of the building and one issue that was brought to light on Monday regarded the alignment of the volleyball net and basketball goals in the new elementary gym.
There was an issue with the retractable goals getting in the way of the (potential) retractable volleyball net and Stones noted he heard from coaches who would be fine having set nets in the court. Porter noted he will work on some new design options for the gym and present them at a later date.
In other business on Monday, the board:
*Approved the consent agenda, including previous meeting minutes, warrants ($1,036,552.61), payroll ($1,122,674.73) and the following personnel changes.
*Approved the resignations of Cullen Jackson (HMS asst. wrestling coach) and Kelli Thompson (ACE teacher, effective Dec. 18).
*Approved the hiring of Ellen Gorden (ACE para), Lori Jacobs (ACE Para), Jaimie Leis (SPED para, RVES), Kaylee Mick (SPED para, Central), Hunter Price (HHS asst. wrestling coach) and Jonah Lutz (HMS asst. wrestling coach).
*Accepted the resignation of custodian Steve VanHorn as of Sept. 30 and recognized his 26 years of service in the district.
*Heard an update from HHS principal Rod Wittmer on the progress of the high school auditorium renovations, with Wittmer noting that the new lights are up and the paneling is in place.
Wittmer is continuing to look into other aspects of the plan, but clarified that replacing the front curtains and valences (two each) is the next step, with seating and sound being addressed further down the road.
Board member Carl Matousek raised questions about addressing some sound issues (i.e. getting more mics) presently if there were enough extra funds, but Stones noted there was no money budgeted to address the audio upgrades at this time.
*Heard a report from maintenance director Mike Porter, who noted the work to fix a leak in the HHS new gym will be completed by Thursday.
With the lease on the Tool Cat running out on Nov. 14, Porter also presented some more options for utility/maintenance vehicles for the district to look into. No action was taken, though, as the board asked Porter to get bids from companies other than White Star (the sole bid that was presented).
Porter was allowed to move forward with a plan to inspect the windows at HHS after one on the second floor recently fell out. The board agreed to let Porter rent a lift from White Star (for $1,200) to look into the issue and also try to fix a leak on the third floor at the same time.
Finally, the board also agreed to upgrade some maintenance equipment, approving the purchase of a leaf vac and blower from Holton Farm and Home at a cost of $1,599.
*Approved BOE policy changes as recommended by KASB and received new policies to review.
*Approved a request from Michelle Evans to use two professional days and three personal days for an upcoming mission trip to Guatemala in February of 2016.
Stones and Kelly noted the trip would not only benefit Evans, but benefit the district as well by giving Evans the tools to try and help the growing Guatemalan population in Holton and around the state of Kansas. The board asked that Evans make a presentation at a future meeting after her trip.
*Approved a request from the Holton FFA to attend the national convention in Louisville, Ky., with the board covering the cost of transportation and two sponsors, though Wittmer noted who will be attending remains up in the air.
*Discussed district enrollment, with total headcount (including Fresh Start) coming to 1,131 students for the 2015-2016 school year. With the Fresh Start changing to be classified as a virtual school, those numbers in particular (currently 53) are based on credits completed and principal Carolyn Cochren noted she is expecting that number to grow to 200 by the end of the school year.
*Discussed the issue of some fiber remaining at the old Fresh Start building and due to a previous agreement to provide internet services in the city, that equipment must remain in place for the time being. Technology Director Tom Sextro, Gordon Lamme and JBN are currently working on other solutions, but for now the board agreed to continue renting part of the old Fresh Start building from Dee Barrow for $100 per month.
*Went over district email usage and potential changes to the “acceptable use” policy currently in place due to some issues that have been brought to the administration’s attention regarding disagreements on the use of the “reply all” email function and non-business emails routinely being sent through school addresses.
Multiple board members wanted to hear from the administrators on potential options for any changes to the policy and Stones noted he would take the issue up with the superintendent’s council to get feedback to take the administrators before creating a policy to take back to the school board.
*Met in executive session to discuss matters pertaining to non-elected personnel for a total of 55 minutes.
*Returned to regular session and approved the terminations of Mary Bowser (food service), Lynn Marsh (food service) and Jenny Simpson (SPED para, RV).
*Noted the presence of all board members.
*Adjourned the meeting at 9:29 p.m.
