Tim Ruppert from HSR architects told the school board at its meeting Monday, July 8 that everything is “falling in place very well” with regard to the elementary renovation timeline. (Continue past the video for more article text)
Ruppert presented a potential revised drop off/pick up loop, as well as visitor and handicapped parking on Cothern Street.
In the most current design, the main entrance into the building would remain where it is now, but would become a more welcoming space than what currently exists.
The addition of a drop off/pick up loop in the lower parking lot will be determined by if the district purchases property in order to move the play space away from the traffic flow. Currently the south playground shares space with the parking area. The north parking lot would be dedicated more towards staff and event parking.
Ruppert also mentioned HSR is still collecting information from the borings and the scanning done at the elementary to learn more about what is causing the foundation issue and how to fix it.
HSR continues to take feedback from staff and make changes to the building design. A Core Team will be traveling to Dodgeville and Barneveld schools this week to see examples of modern building design renovations.
(Go to the 11 minute mark of the video)
Other business:
— Recognized State Baseball, Badger Boys & Girls State, and National FFA Proficiency participants (this begins the meeting).
— Superintendent Mitch Wainwright presented his monthly budget update and stated he anticipates having some monies left over from the 2018-19 school year and would recommend putting it into Fund 46, which is a long term capital maintenance fund. The audit will be finalized by July 18. Wainwright also added he believes, preliminarily, the district will be working with a budget surplus for next year. (Go to the 38 minute mark)
— Amanda Heisner, Teacher and Coordinator of Options in Education, provided the Board with an update on the program, as well as goals and vision for the future. Her slideshow can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GX3jIdFCs4rkex0U2kLImjw-_MBETSsesdlnnlLOfZI/edit?usp=sharing
(Go to the 55 minute mark)
— The board unanimously approved the annual paper purchase from the O’Brion Agency and new Dell desktop computers for administrative assistants. (Go to the one hour, 24 minute mark)
— Approved by a 6-1 vote (with Jeff Basting voting no) the 2019-20 handbooks, except for the employee handbook, which was tabled. (Go to the one hour, 28 minute mark)
— Unanimously approved adoption of the Model Local Education Special Education Policies and Procedures developed by the Department of Public Instruction, as outlined here: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicItemDownload.aspx?ik=44732462
(Go to the two hour, four minute mark)
— Unanimously approved the credit card statement and bills payable. (Go to the two hour, five minute mark)
— The Board will hold a special meeting Monday, July 29 at 6 pm with a finance committee meeting to follow. The August regular meeting has been moved to Monday, August 19 at 6:30 pm.