USD 383 Board of Education

Oct. 23, 2013
Kathy Dzewaltowski, observer

Board retreat:
The board held a special meeting to discuss plans for the College Hill preschool building and MHS East Campus (MHS-E).  The College Hill building had received no improvements from the 2008 bond, and only some improvements had been made at MHS-E.

For the College Hill preschool program, board members discussed the possibilities of renovating the existing building, constructing a new building on its current lot, or constructing a new building elsewhere, possibly on Northview Elementary's property.  Dave Colburn suggested incorporating preschool programs into some of the larger elementary schools, which would provide the opportunity to share services, such as the library, cafeteria, gym, staff.  Curt Herrman and Leah Fliter suggested locating the preschool program to space in MHS-E.  Pat Huggins suggested preserving the historic section of College Hill, while demolishing the 1950s and 1960s additions and replacing them with a new addition.  Board members agreed the building has immediate needs that have to be addressed, and plans for the district's overall preschool program will need further discussion.

For MHS-E, cost estimates for a significant renovation ranged from $14.7 million to $16.2 million, with the difference being the type of heating and cooling system that would be used.  Board members discussed the possibilities of making the school a smaller 9-12 grade high school that could focus on career and technical education or performing arts, but for now, the board agreed to continue to house only ninth grade in the building.  Similar to the College Hill building, MHS-E has immediate needs that have to be addressed, particularly issues with drainage.  The district has approximately $300,000 remaining from the 2008 bond, and those funds could be used to address issues at MHS-E.  (The bond's language would prevent the funds being used for College Hill.)  Mr. Colburn said that the district won't be able to address all of MHS-E's needs with the capital outlay budget, so the board will have to be thinking about another bond, which could also include moving 6th graders to the middle school level and adding on to the middle schools to accommodate them.