USD 383 Board of Education

December 2, 2009
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Work session:
The architects for the MHS construction project updated the board regarding the latest plans they are working on. One plan adds new space on both the northeast and southwest corners of the building, a second plan adds new space only on the northeast corner, and a third plan adds the majority of the space on the south side of the building. Improving the high school's HVAC system had been scheduled to be a Phase 3 project, but the board has expressed interest in moving the HVAC project to a higher priority. The architects requested direction as to whether they should be planning to update the HVAC system, which would involve increasing the scope of their services. The board's consensus was to expand the architects' scope to include HVAC updates. The board also discussed how to address security issues with the high school's fitness center, which is a separate, detached building. Board members felt they needed more information about the fitness center.

Regular session:
The board was told that the state plans to reduce per pupil funding by $206, which will result in a net reduction of the district's general fund budget of $631,000.

The board approved 7-0 the design development for Lee Elementary. Seventeen spaces will be added to the building.

The board was presented with pre-schematic designs for Wilson Elementary, which will add space to either the south or east sides of the building. Board members expressed concerns about the amount of square footage being added, thinking it looked like more than what had been planned. The architect responded that the additional square footage meets the board's guidelines.

The board approved 7-0 the contract with Adolfson and Peterson to be the Construction Manager At-Risk for the high school project.

The board approved 7-0 to renew the capital outlay resolution and set the cap at 7 mills for the next five years.

The board discussed new courses for the high school. The proposed courses included Algebra IA and Algebra IB, which will allow the typical Algebra I course to be taught at a slower pace and spread over two years, and also Intermediate Algebra, which is intended for students who have taken Algebra I and Geometry and who may not be ready for Algebra II. The courses are being proposed to meet the needs of students who have struggled to be successful in Algebra. Board members expressed concerns about how students will be counseled to take these courses, and the "track" that students will be in and whether they will be able to meet the requirements for attending a regents' school. The need for the courses will be re-evaluated in three years. The board approved the new courses 7-0.