Superior board proceeds with school renovation plan

 

November 11, 2021



Members of the Superior Board of Education continued to move ahead on several building improvement projects Monday evening during their regular monthly meeting.

Earlier this month, the board met in special session with an architect from Clark and Enersen. Monday evening they talked in detail about the proposed changes to the front entrance. Items they addressed included storage, In School Suspension (ISS) environment, how many people could meet in the conference area, how far the superintendent would need to walk to get to his secretary’s office and the width of windows and visibility into offices from outside the building, the size of the trophy case, securing single versus double doors and where the staff copy machines would be located.

The architect said, “Lots of building materials have a long lead delivery schedule at this time. Steel bar joists are 10 to 12 months out.”

Thus alternatives will be considered so the project can be done next summer.

The drawing includes an alternate project which would renovate rest rooms and make them ADA compliant and provide for a concession stand.

Matt Bargen, board member said, “While we have things torn apart, I think we should complete the whole project.”

Estimated cost of the project including the rest room renovation is $977,950. Estimates for the rest room renovation were between $150,000 and $160,000.

Action items related to the project included a motion by Bargen and seconded by Jason Jensen to approve the preliminary design of the front entrance presented by Clark and Enersen.

In addition Peggy Meyer moved to approve consideration of a bond resolution authorizing the issuance of not-to–exceed $1,300,000 of limited tax building improvement bonds. Motion was seconded by Luke Meyers.

They board also approved the consideration and adopting of a resolution authorizing the creation of the Superior Educational Facilities Leasing Corporation and authorized the district to enter into one or more lease purchase agreements not to exceed $850,000.

All three motions were unanimously approved. Other board members present were Matt Sullivan and Brad Biltoft.

Supt. Kobza said the motions did not commit the board to anything at this time. They simply locked in interest rates and secured money needed to complete projects being considered. The primary focus will be the replacement of the middle school and secondary school roof, remodeling the front entrance to improve safety and addressing the parking lot with related drainage, decaying concrete and lighting.

“We are looking at the building envelope,” Kobza said, “Not adding fluff. We are looking at structural things so we do not have to have a bond issue to build a new building.”

Members of the board also approved opting into 8-man football for the 2022-23 school year. No increase in participation in the football program is projected until the sixth grade or perhaps the current third grade classes reach high school.

“When there are only 20 or so students playing 11-man football it makes sense from a safety standpoint to opt for 8-man even if the school is not eligible for playoffs,” Supt. Kobza said. A staff COVID leave policy was also approved by the board. The maximum amount of extended leave related to COVID is two weeks. Supt. Kobza said, “Most of the COVID staff issues relate to daycares being closed because of COVID-19.”

Reasons staff may be granted COVID sick leave include have symptoms and being subject to isolation or caring for a child because their place of care was closed because of COVID precautions.

Monday, the school had one student with confirmed COVID. Since the beginning of school approximately 32 students and staff have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“It seems there are family clusters, but we have only had one or two affected at the same time. We do not appear to have community spread at school,” Supt. Kobza said.

Brodstone Memorial Hospital invited the school to host a five and up COVID-19 vaccine clinic. However, the school declined. Both administrators and board members stated concerns over the unknown potential complications since the vaccine is new. Supt. Kobza said, “We might consider it next year after we have had time to see what happens.”

In other business the board approved expenditures of $784,131.71 from the general fund in October. In addition, a payment of $104,415.00 to Cornhusker International Trucks for a new school bus was paid from the depreciation fund.

With minimal discussion the accepted policies primarily related to staff was reviewed with no changes.

 

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