By Paula Scott
On March 30 the Ada School Board held a 2+ hour planning meeting to discuss buildings and grounds, extracurriculars, finance, academics and safety measures. Administrators and the fiscal officer provided information on numerous programs and the expected costs of improvements and other changes.
The first half of the meeting is covered in this article.
BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
The meeting began with Superintendent Rob VanBuskirk listing work that could be accomplished this summer:
- Varsity and ‘86 gym air conditioning
- Waiting on the architects contract
- Have some $700-750K in ARP ESSR funding for this project
- The entire building could cost $2M, so have requested prices for different areas
- Replace ‘71 overhang roof and ‘86 foyer roof
- Replace K-12 mezzanine flashing
- Move sidewalk from the Central office to the K-12 building
- Add WiFi to the bus garage
- Security grant projects
- Replace cooks’ door
- Replace K-12 shingles
When discussion commenced, Mike Lenhart, the Maintenance-Transportation Supervisor explained that HVAC controllers in K-12 building are obsolete and will not be supported by the manufacturer. One option is to replace Mezzanine controllers and save parts for other areas. There are 135 room controllers in the building that will also need replacing.
Snow melting on the roof and then freezing on sidewalks has been a problem. Therefore the sidewalk between the High School doors and the north doors of the administration building will be moved away from the administration building. Sidewalks are needed from parking to the wrestling room.
Leaks over the art room and mezzanine were discussed.
EXTRACURRICULARS
Proposed upgrades and for athletics and music included:
- Practice field with locker rooms on the school property
- Wrestling room ceiling
- A 10-passenger, ¾ ton van to replace the truck damaged this spring on icy roads. Would be used for marching band, varsity singers, quiz bowl, and smaller sports; could pull a trailer. The van owned by the school is outfitted for special needs students.
- Varsity gym banners
Conditions of high school sports facilities at War Memorial Park were discussed.
HANDBOOK
Britton Devier, K-12 Assistant Principal Transportation Supervisor, reviewed some school handbook content. Discussion included adding language about vacations in the athletic code of conduct and having a similar extracurricular code for activities such as Varsity Singers, band and quiz bowl, with students who are kept out of school for infractions also kept out of same day performances and competitions.
SMALL SPORTS TEAMS
Athletic director Ken Jochims discussed the possibility of eliminating the cross country team, while facilitating individuals who want to compete. Discussion included the cost of golf course fees and transportation conflicts.
STUDENT TICKET PRICES
Jochims also introduced the topic of trying to get more student involvement in athletics and the possibility of free admission for K-12 students. Other schools find it does improve attendance. Admission for $1 was also suggested. It was noted that an accompanying adult was needed to prevent “babysitting” issues.
BOYS SOCCER
There are 33 students signed up for boys soccer. The school may another assistant coach to help with JV-Varsity scheduling. It was noted that baseball numbers have gone down and track numbers have gone up
FINANCE
Fiscal officer Kim Light reviewed information about levies, the bond fund and items that are encumbered. She noted that another planning session will take place in October.
TECHNOLOGY
Tim Vernick, District Technology Coordinator, reviewed the schools’ new mobile app, increased social media postings and new website. Cyber security and key fobs that keep the Vo-ag building locked were discussed. Vernick shares an office with Officer Carl; they are also doing rounds together to identify areas for improvement such as cameras and radios. Looking to the future, multi-factor authentication will soon be required for everyone.
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