Members of the USD 253 Board of Education overheard findings from the recent district needs assessment during their regularly scheduled board meeting Wednesday evening.
In summer 2018, the district charged HTK Architects with studying facility needs, as well as analyzing systems, identifying cycle costs, determining appropriateness of existing education space and gathering stakeholder input. During the assessment, HTK found several recurring themes amongst individuals including desires for more secure entrances at school buildings, improved pick up and drop off areas and expanded classroom space.
In the district-wide observations, HTK found facilities to be well maintained with each being used to its maximum potential and staff members are able to accommodate well to any shortcomings the buildings may have. However, the age of many district facilities has led to several issues with equipment and maintenance needs.
Superintendent Kevin Case offered his thoughts on the overall presentation.
Case adds the board encourages any stakeholders who wish to provide input to reach out to the board or attend the board meetings. He says community input is a major factor in the project as the schools belong to the community.
The next step of the process will be further and more in-depth conversations between board members and HTK during the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting later this month.
As previously mentioned security at school entrances continues to be a concern amongst individuals within the district. The board is currently in the process of a project dedicated to improving security and safety at district facilities.
During the board’s regular meeting last month, members rejected an overall bid and decided to restart the bid process with a focus on individual components rather than an all-encompassing bid. During Wednesday’s meeting board members reviewed and approved several bids from local subcontractors for different elements of the project including concrete work, windows and technology.
Superintendent Case says it is exciting to be able to move forward in addressing a need voiced by many district stakeholders.
The new total cost of the project comes in at $259,099, which is considerably lower than the previous bid rejected at last month’s board meeting.
In other business, Wednesday board members reviewed the 2018 district climate survey and approved E-Rate bids for upgrades to the District’s network.
The board will next meet Wednesday Feb. 27 inside the Mary Herbert Education Center.
