Technology tops capital project list for Alexandria School D... - Alexandria Echo Press

The technology portion came to nearly $1.4 million of the $3.5 million allotted for the coming school year. It includes devices, smartboards, equipment, and licenses and permits.

Director of Business Services Trevor Peterson reviewed the larger projects with the board, highlighted by expansion and renovation work slated to begin this spring at Miltona Science Magnet Elementary School. Last month the board accepted a bid from Tradesmen Construction to add three classrooms and eliminate the use of a portable classroom for students. Approximately $850,000 is budgeted for work at Miltona.

Other sizeable projects include:

• District wide: custodial and grounds equipment, $60,000; fire safety and grounds building reconfiguration, $50,000 each; environmental consulting, $40,000; roof repairs and HVAC/boilers/chillers upgrades and repairs, $30,000 each; electrical upgrades and repairs and exterior improvements, $25,000; and plumbing upgrades, $20,000.

• High school: upgrade performing arts center microphone system, $40,000.

• Middle school: upgrade exterior lights to LED, $30,000; upgrade auditorium lights and replace top portion of pool bleachers, $20,000.

• Garfield Elementary: create secure entrance, $75,000; replace kitchen floor, $20,000.

• Woodland Elementary: replace playground surface, $70,000; tunnel under road, sidewalk to school, $60,000.

• Early education: carpet replacement, $20,000.

• Transportation/food service: bus lease payouts, $100,000; office reconfiguration, $50,000; roof replacement for office, $25,000.

Board member Alan Zeithamer said he had spoken with someone from another school district that gets fully reimbursed by the state for its capital improvement projects, and wondered if the state does that with Alexandria. Peterson said it does not.

"The richer your tax base is, the more burden that is placed on your taxpayers," he said. "We are a property-rich district."

In other matters

In other action, the school board:

• Approved the addition of a full-time staff member for grade 7 next fall, "while remaining revenue neutral." Human resources director Scott Heckert said that based on enrollment, the district could cut a full-time position at the elementary level.

• Approved the hiring of an assistant marching band director, which is a booster position and a girls softball coach; and the replacing of a cook position with an assistant kitchen manager at 6.5 hours per day at Discovery Middle School, due to a larger kitchen and menu.

• Accepted retirements of administrative assistant Cindy Hughes and teacher Dan Eberly, and resignations of industrial arts teacher Jacob Schumacher, elementary teacher Amy Glade, custodian David Crane, cook Kelly Kees and para Alyssa Timmerman, as well as five co-curricular staff members.

• Accepted a $2,000 donation from Brenton Engineering to the robotics program for supplies.

• Heard summer school plans from Michelle Bethke-Kaliher, student support services director. They included moving early childhood special education to afternoons in response to parent feedback, and indications that attendance may increase, as well as transportation issues.

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