ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CYNTHIA GOERZEN
The Goessel school board, at its Sept. 13 meeting, accepted the low bid from Dirksen Construction for concrete work for the bleacher area and concession stand and press box at the football/track facility.
The board approved the recommendation of Superintendent John Fast to accept the low bid from the Goessel company.
Although several options involving rock and asphalt had been discussed, the board decided that an all-concrete bleacher pad would be the best choice and would last the longest.
Architect Wally Schultz, who has been working with the board on the project, said it would probably take six weeks from the time the bleachers are ordered until they are delivered, but it could take up to 10 weeks.
“I don’t think you should wait too long,” he said, noting that steel prices have been fluctuating.
Fast plans to have bleacher bids ready to present to the board at next month’s meeting. Plans are to begin construction after this fall’s football season is over.
After a time of discussion, the board approved the erection of a metal maintenance building west of the elementary school. The board was told it would cost about $1,500 to $2,000 for dirt work in that area.
Schultz encouraged the board to consider long-term use of the building and to plan ahead for future maintenance needs.
In response to a question from board member Richard Drake, Schultz said pouring footing for the building would be “a real good idea” since the building is intended to be permanent.
In regard to the thickness of the concrete floor, Schultz agreed with board members that a 4-inch floor would be sufficient unless the school intends to park vehicles in the building. If so, he said a 5-inch floor would be better.
Schultz encouraged the board to consider a 5-inch floor because it was pointed out that maintenance staff sometimes work on buses themselves, and it would be nice, especially in winter, to have an indoor space for that work.
The board also discussed insulation. Although plans call for the entire roof to be insulated, the board discussed whether to insulate all the walls.
On another matter, Fast told the board that the school is now in a renewal phase with OneOK for natural gas. He said he had called other superintendents and talked to Bill Curtis of the Kansas Association of School Boards.
Fast said other superintendents have been happy with the service of the Kansas Joint Utilities Program.
The board voted to follow the administration’s recommendation to switch providers and enter into a contract with KJUP for natural gas.
Curt Graves, junior/senior high principal, presented plans for landscaping around the junior/senior high school building. He plans to have the horticulture class do some of the work. The class has contacted Stone Creek Nursery at Hesston. Graves said he would like the landscaping to get done this fall.
The board discussed installing an irrigation system on the east and south sides of the school and reseeding the grass next year.
Graves commended the school district’s students: “I’ve been very impressed with our student body, their demeanor, sportsmanship…. We’re off to a very good start.”
Drake also commended students for their sportsmanship at the recent high school football game. “That was the best display of sportsmanship by both teams,” he said.
Graves said a Quality Performance Accreditation visit is coming up. “We’re ahead of the game right now, and we need to stay ahead of it,” he said.
Drake reported that Fred Miller has resigned as director of the Marion County Special Education Cooperative. Drake also said that school district assessments will remain the same as last year.
“I see little effort in trying to curb costs,” he said. “We’ll spend $136,000 this year.”
Fast and Drake explained rationale for keeping the co-op budget at the current level. Factors included legislative mandates.
In other business, the board:
n learned that the kindergarten class has gained two new students, bringing the class total to 13. Fast said current full-time equivalent for the school district stands at 283.5, compared with 289 last school year. The budget had been based on a projected enrollment of 275 students.
— heard Fast’s report that nearly 100 percent of the elementary students had been represented at the open house.
— was informed that the grade-school window project is nearly complete. “Maybe by the end of this month we’ll have that project wrapped up,” Fast said.
— learned that new interactive television equipment has now been installed in connection with The Learning Consortium. Voth said the old equipment will be advertised on e-Bay.
— voted to replace the carpet in the weight room at a cost of $2,190.
Coach Justin Coup, who was present to explain weight-room needs, said other improvements, such as new equipment, upholstery for current equipment, and mirrors, will be paid for with money from fund-raisers.
Fast said, “They have worked very hard” on raising money.
— voted to hire Marlene Klassen as a bus monitor on the Head Start bus. Fast said a monitor is required. He also said that since the Goessel bus transports a Hillsboro student for four miles, the Hillsboro school district will pay two-tenths of the cost of the bus monitor.
— decided to schedule a board retreat for 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 9, followed by a meal with the city council and a meeting with the city council after that. Fast plans to check with the mayor about the date.
— commended Unrau for receiving the Kansas Association of School Board’s Boardsmanship Award.
