Summer projects outlined at Holton schools
Like a number of people do at this time, the Holton school board turned the brunt of its attention to summer projects during its regular May meeting at the USD 336 district office on Monday night.
Maintenance director Mike Porter had a list of potential projects to review with the board members, while Holton High School principal Rod Wittmer addressed the ongoing information gathering regarding potential renovations to the HHS auditorium and David Lassiter of Nabholz provided an update on the new elementary building project.
Porter had the most to go over, as he itemized lists of maintenance needs for both the high school and middle school and broached some of those topics with the board members on Monday.
For some projects, Porter has already looked into defraying costs, like some concrete work for gutters/edging on the north side of the retaining wall at HHS along with a hot water heater need in the HHS kitchen.
The concrete work is a smaller issue that got put off after the completion of the retaining wall and while it was supposed to be done by Midwest Concrete, Porter believes he can do it himself and save the district some money.
In regards to the hot water heater issue, Porter noted a way to minimize costs would be to purchase a smaller hot water tank that could be stored in the kitchen itself instead of trying to replace the two 100-gallon water heaters that service the kitchen as of right now.
Replacing those two hot water tanks would cost approximately $12,000 according to Porter, while he noted a 20-gallon heater would cost around $4,300 and the heating elements cost a minimal $40/unit. Porter did note he wanted to get more information before moving forward with that project.
Other projects Porter noted needed to be addressed are new lights for the running track, sealing for the outside doors at HHS, new custodial sinks in both buildings, floor mats to protect from the elements, new showers in the HMS boys locker room, new floor tile for the lower floor at HMS and the replacement of some janitorial equipment.
“If you don’t have equipment, you can’t clean your buildings. That’s basically the shortfall of the whole thing,” Porter said.
In total, just for the HHS projects Porter brought up at Monday’s meeting, he estimated a total cost of about $13,456. He noted it doesn’t all have to be done at once and recommended prioritizing (first tier, second tier, etc.), while the board requested a spreadsheet from Porter on the maintenance projects to help do just that.
Superintendent Dennis Stones also brought up an issue with the computer room at Holton Middle School and noted he doesn’t believe it is conducive to learning, suggesting some remodeling to that room to allow students a better opportunity to learn.
On the auditorium front, Stones noted he has been in contact with Bob’s Janitorial of Topeka to clean the air ducts, but he has not received a bid back yet, while Wittmer is looking into bids for chairs, curtains, a sound system and other needs in an attempt to build a solid base for specs on projected costs for the complete renovation and he hopes to get more of that information for the board prior to the meeting in June.
Regarding the new elementary building, Lassiter made a short presentation noting that dirt work is moving forward while working around the recent rain received in the area.
Other action taken by the board at Monday’s meeting included:
*Approved the consent agenda item approving minutes for the April board meeting, payment of bills, payroll, a donation of books from Trish Bandre valued over $3,000 and the following personnel decisions.
*Approved the resignations of Jane Bauerle (ECSE SPED para, SES), Annie Brock (HMS/HHS media specialist), Lori Bergman (SPED teacher, Axtell), Travis Henry (8th grade boys basketball coach), Robin Kolterman (SPED para, OHS), Theresa Watkins (SPED para, HHS), Jasmine Puderbaugh (SPED gifted teacher), Jenny Taylor (4th grade, Central), Jackie Lundin (Colorado custodian), Nancy Lundin (Colorado Custodian), Darla Haverkamp (SPED para Central), Joe Kralicek (CAPS, Wetmore) and Brian Hickman (8th grade boys basketball coach).
*Approved the hiring of Jenny Taylor (SPED IRC, Central)
*Heard from Wittmer regarding the success of the HHS FFA program and an opportunity that has presented itself for the state championship poultry team. The team was invited to a summer camp hosted by the University of Arkansas and students would pay for the camp, with Wittmer requesting one supervisor and the use of a school van for the trip. The board approved the request (7-0).
*Heard from HMS principal Michael Kimberlin on the successful productions of “Guys and Dolls” and “Sleeping Beauty” by the middle school students over the weekend.
*Approved (7-0) the amended re-published budget, which will have no affect this year, but will allow the district to use a larger budget number for the block funding that will be implemented next school year, according to Stones.
*Noted the summer school updates with the program being moved to Central Elementary (with the exception of Driver’s Ed) this year and approved (7-0) the list of staff members including Emilie Teel (teacher), Kelli Thompson (teacher), Susan Baum (teacher), Melissa Peven (teacher), Rhonda DeLay (para), Amy Mick (para), Beth Smith (administrator), Sheila Price (teacher), Debbie Harshaw (teacher), Michelle Jones (teacher), Diann Strader (teacher), Keri Miller (teacher), Sarah Newton (teacher), Janci Smith (para) Barb Shea (para) and Michael Kimberlin (administrator).
*Approved (7-0) and adopted board policies BCAC, BBC, BBBC, BBABD, BBABE and AG that were giving to board members to review at the last regular board meeting.
*Met in executive session for 35 minutes with Wittmer, HHS assistant principal Jason Schroeder, David and Cassie Tinney and Charles and Ann McCauley to discuss a matter and protect the rights of a student.
*Upheld (7-0) the dance team tryout process at HHS after returning to regular session, noting no changes would be made this year, but noted the board will look into potential changes in the process for next year.
*Heard a presentation from Barb Schul of Parents as Teachers in the success of the program in Holton, which is so full that there is now a waiting list to get into the program. She also clarified some funding questions after some attempted legislative involvement, noting the PAT parents spoke out and were heard enough to keep the funding the same.
*Approved (7-0) the renewal of the Parents as Teachers program in the Holton school district at a total cost of $11,300.
*Approved (7-0) the renewal of the rental contract with Bill Mercer for the use of “Chigger Field” by the football and track and field teams of the Holton schools at a cost of $2,121.80 for the year.
*Approved (7-0) the renewal of the American Fidelity contract with no increases to the policy for the next year.
*Approved (7-0) the renewal of the Delta Dental contract with no increases in costs for the next year.
*Approved (7-0) a request from HHS business teacher Matt Goetz to attend the FBLA national conference in Chicago this summer with one student, Anne Bowser, who qualified for national competition and cover the costs for the sponsor and allow for the use of a school van on the trip.
*Approved (7-0) the date change of the regular school board meeting scheduled in March 2016. The second Monday of the month falls during spring break and the board agreed to move the meeting up a week to the first Monday of the month, March 7.
*Met in executive session for a total of 45 minutes to discuss teacher salary negotiations and matters pertaining to non-elected personnel.
*Approved contracts for Stones and certified staff (teachers) for the 2015-2016 school years with no changes after returning to regular season.
*Noted the presence of all board members.
*Adjourned meeting at 8:47 p.m.
