Holton B.O.E. approves new textbooks, elects president

At Monday evening’s Holton school board meeting, Allen Arnold was elected president of the board for the 2016-17 year, the purchase of new science textbooks districtwide was approved and an update on the construction of the new elementary school was given.

Allen was elected president of the board on a 4-3 vote after he and Rex Frazier were both nominated for the position. 

Board members Mike Ford, Orin Marshall, Shelby Patch and Allen voted for the motion to elect Allen. Frazier, Bob Phillips and Carl Matousek voted no.

This is the second time that Allen has served as board president. He takes over the position from Ford.

On 7-0 votes, Marshall was elected vice president of the board and Frazier was elected governmental relations representative.

Frazier, who was absent from the meeting, was able to communicate with the board during a portion of the meeting over the speaker phone.

The vote to purchase new science textbooks districtwide was 6-0 and totaled $85,053.89.

The cost for the grade K-5 science books was $34,145.28 from Delta Education.

The cost for the grade 6-12 science books was $47,356.06 from McGraw Hill and high school anatomy and physiology textbooks totaling $3,552.55 from Pearson.

Nabholz construction manager David Lassiter met with the school board. Lassiter said construction crews in all phases of the work are starting to complete their “punch list’’ – a list of items that must be completed before the construction work is completely finished.

Among Lassiter’s comments were the following:

*Demolition of the old Colorado school (except for the diamond building) continues and there is still a small amount of asbestos below grade to be removed.

*As soon as the old school is demolished and hauled away, dirt can be hauled in to smooth out the old school footprint and sidewalk, curb and gutter and parking lot work can begin.

*Epoxy flooring, ceiling tiles and final touch-up detail painting are all in the final stages of completion.

*Basketball goals and volleyball netting has been delivered and the hardwood floor for the gymnasium will be installed soon. Lassiter explained that the hardwood is delivered and given time to acclimate to the gym temperature before it is installed.

*The temperature in the new school is being regulated at 70 to 72 degrees consistently now.

*Lots of staff training in the kitchen is under way so staff understand how to operate and control freezers, refrigerators, appliances, etc.

*All classrooms in the new school have “smart lights’’ that turn off automatically at specified times.

*Security cameras, projectors and fire alarms are all being installed now.

*Lots of staff training on heat/AC systems is under way. Also, instructional videos are being made to help staff troubleshoot any problems after the school opens.

*Teachers can start moving in July 25. They will be able to adjust the temperature in their individual classrooms plus or minus 5 degrees, it was reported.

*The last pieces of furniture are expected to be moved into the new school by July 27.