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Among the summertime happenings at Holyoke schools is continued progress on the district’s new greenhouse. Located at the southwest corner of the JR/SR high, the foundation has been poured and preparations continue so the site will be ready when the greenhouse kit is delivered. A Farmers Grow Rural Education grant sponsored by the Monsanto Fund provided $25,000 specifically for the Expanding Our Roots Greenhouse project. It was awarded in the fall of 2017 to the Holyoke FFA chapter. Additional funding was provided by the Re-1J Foundation and the Heginbotham Trust. — The Holyoke Enterprise | Johnson Publications

Direction for school facilities ballot question update anticipated June 18

    Conversation surrounding facilities for Holyoke School District Re-1J continued at the board’s June 4 meeting.
    With updated numbers from the Neenan Archistruction Company and continued dialogue on building options, board members agreed that at the June 18 meeting they will give Superintendent Kyle Stumpf a firm direction with regard to timing and types of ballot questions to consider for the next few years.
    The current mill levy override of 7 mills is set to be collected through tax year 2020 (collected in 2021). That revenue averages around $500,000 annually.
    Potential ballot questions in upcoming years could address the extension of the current mill levy override, additional mill levy override funds and/or a bond election.
    While timelines aren’t set, board conversation is gravitating toward part of Option D on the project list. This involves building a new elementary school at the high school, as well as a new gym and entry additions to the high school building, but not renovating the high school initially. The project would involve a shared cafeteria/kitchen.
     Last week, Neenan’s senior architect David Kurtz estimated this project in the $25 million-$28 million range without the high school renovation. Stumpf pointed out that a 6%-10% contingency is built into these estimated costs, due to the fact that actual construction time may be several years in the future.
    It was noted that the high school renovation could then become the new 10-year master facility plan as five-year and 10-year goals are outlined.
    The district has done a good job of using the master facility plan created by Neenan in 2009 and hopes that will help if a Building Excellent Schools Today grant is sought.
    Other potential funding sources could include a performance energy contract with companies like Schneider Electric, as well as Department of Local Affairs grants.
    Stumpf said he would like to see a master facility plan progress by August, to give a roadmap of what can be done for both the short term and long term.
    
Capital projects reviewed
    Referencing the 2019-20 capital project expenditures, the mill levy override dollars for technology total around $75,000. Stumpf said they’re looking at 100 new student Chromebooks and 75 teacher machines for a total of roughly $65,000. The remaining $10,000 is designated for new TV/display monitors, as well as repairs/miscellaneous.
    Other MLO capital projects/programs include $210,443 for lease payment for the elementary roof/district lighting, $30,000 for district concrete work, $3,000 sprinkler repair at the elementary school, $2,000 for concessions stand countertop at the football field and $1,000 for fence repair.
    Stumpf mentioned the concrete work planned between the soon-to-be-placed greenhouse and the ag shop on the west end of the JR/SR high. Greenhouse shipment delays were addressed, with the new project coming soon.
    Addressing the budget for track repairs for when the time comes that resurfacing is needed, Stumpf said a money market account set up by the former business and finance director has been designated as a track replacement fund. For 2019-20, $10,000 has been added to that account.
    In other capital needs, Stumpf cited the aging fleet of buses. A replacement plan for buses had been in place until the negative factor started hitting the district seven years ago and buses weren’t replaced.
    Two new buses were purchased last July, and they are used for activity miles. Total miles on the other regular-route buses range from 95,000-283,000 miles. The need for updating the fleet and returning to a regular bus replacement rotation was emphasized.
    
A.D. reports
    Athletic director John Baumgartner gave a spring sports activities report to the board.
    Additionally, he noted coaching positions are still open for head HS volleyball, HS boys golf and assistant HS girls basketball.
    Baumgartner cited the need to consider a plan for renovations on the new gym floor and bleachers.
    
Other business
    In other business June 4, the Re-1J board:
    — Hired Ashley Gragg as a kindergarten teacher for the 2019-20 school year. She earned her B.A. degree in liberal arts with a minor in reading and elementary education from the University of Northern Colorado. She has worked at Dragon’s Wagon Preschool in Holyoke for the past four years.
    — Noted that the preliminary June budget for 2019-20 is to be approved June 18.
    — Approved Lauer, Szabo & Associates to conduct the district’s 2018-19 audit.
    — Gave second-reading approval for revised policies on the subjects of staff health, staff personal security and safety, admission of nonimmigrant foreign exchange students and public’s right to know/freedom of information.
    — Reviewed policies on student absences and excuses, student discipline, use of physical intervention and restraint, grading/assessment systems, and discipline, suspension and dismissal of professional staff.

Holyoke Enterprise

970-854-2811 (Phone)

130 N Interocean Ave
PO Box 297
Holyoke CO 80734