At Monday’s regular monthly meeting, the School Board held discussion and approved the construction phasing timeline for the elementary renovation/addition. (Scroll past the video for more article text)
Approved by a 6-0 vote with Dahl absent was architect HSR’s recommendation to build the new addition first. This will allow the new addition to be used to house students while the renovation to the existing building is taking place. This option also allows for more strategic switchover of all the building systems (electrical, boiler, etc). Additionally, this option allows for everyone to stay on site and eliminates the need to displace a portion of students and staff offsite, or provide mobile classrooms. This is the most cost-effective phasing plan of the options, said Tim Ruppert of HSR.
The Board also was able to view some 3D conceptual images of the interior and exterior of the elementary building. The most current information regarding the elementary construction project is being housed at: https://mineralpointschools.org/elementary-renovation/
(Go to the two minute, 45 second mark)
Other business:
— The Board approved by a 5-1 vote (with Steffes voting no) the 2020-21 school year calendar. Please note this calendar would need waiver approval by the State before becoming final, because the start date is prior to September 1. This is due to the elementary construction project. We will update when the state waiver has been received. Until then, please be reminded this is preliminary and subject to change.
2020-21 calendar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3_1ty-is1HULWRBTFpEODc0LV9paXJGejVvdWR3VDVDZmxr/view?usp=sharing
2020-21 calendar notes: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3_1ty-is1HUR3dpdmFjQlJXbHRaU1B2ckFWcjk4ZDlWcWlF/view?usp=sharing
Steffes voted against the calendar because he believes parents of the 2021 senior class should be surveyed regarding moving graduation off Memorial Day weekend. The last day of classes for all students, and high school graduation, would be Friday, May 21, 2021. Memorial Day weekend is not until the following week.
(Go to the one hour, 24 minute mark)
— The Board approved by a 5-0-1 vote (with Dunn abstaining) the resolution awarding the sale of $1,920,000 General Obligation Promissory Notes, a bank qualified note placed with Farmers Savings Bank.
This keeps the money locally, instead of issuing a bond sale. This is the final dollar amount to be borrowed from the referendum last fall.
(Go to the one hour, 17 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board held its annual audit review from Johnson & Block, as presented by Quinn Mitchell.
(Go to the 26 minute mark)
— A reminder of the School Board election timeline.
December 27 at 5 pm is the deadline for incumbents (Jeff Basting, Tony Dahl, and Gary Sullivan) to file notice of non-candidacy, should they desire not to seek another term.
January 7 at 5 pm is the deadline for candidates to file all documents needed to establish eligibility to appear on the spring 2020 ballot.
(Go to the 47 minute, 15 second mark)
— Superintendent Wainwright presented the Board with the data from the 2018-19 Department of Public Instruction School District Report Card.
For the fourth straight year, the District has received the highest rating (five star) for Significantly Exceeding Expectations.
For the first time, each of the three schools (elementary, middle, high) also received the five star rating of Significantly Exceeding Expectations.
(Go to the 51 minute, 15 second mark)
— As required by January 1, 2020 by the Department of Justice, the school safety plan was approved as presented.
(Go to the one hour, 30 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board held a first reading of Policy 133: Filling of Board Vacancies. The Policy Committee met and discussed proposed updates to Policy 133. The policy will be brought back for a vote at a future meeting.
(Go to the one hour, six minute mark)
— The Board approved the credit card statement and bills payable by a 5-0-1 vote with Basting abstaining. (Go to the one hour, 32 minute mark)
— The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Monday, January 13 at 6:30 pm.