$2M Needed for Manchester Schools Renovations
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Keri Koenig-
The George K. Baum Company proposed a plan for the budget to reduce the pressure on future taxes during the school board meeting Tuesday. It will be a 3 cent increase, but the taxes of North Manchester have already declined by 13 cents over the past few years.
By 2025 the debt would be completely paid back if it is started now, the board heard. This would cover two major capital project funds.
Ventilation is in need of repair within the school system, the board also heard. It runs nearly 24 hours a day to maintain a comfortable temperature and has leaked periodically. It is inefficient and costly to keep the current system running.
Designs are still being developed and a plan is underway. It must be decided by early December and February how the issue should be addressed.
It was also brought to the school board’s attention that the lighting for Manchester High School’s theater program needs modernization. Theater Director Marilyn Mason told the board, “We have had 18 wonderful years with our equipment, but technology has advanced. They no longer make the bulbs for our current lights. Once our last light goes out it will be gone.”
The theater program teaches high school students how to put on a show whether they are performing or managing the effects. During a recent production, all the main lights went out and the show carried on with two spotlights until intermission.
The outdated technology is no longer reliable and is troubling to maintain. It will take an estimated $300,000 to cover the costs to replace the lighting, which will benefit the students involved in theater as well as the community who come to see their performances, the board heard.
With this upgrade in technology, more capabilities for the lighting will be possible. It was suggested that the five main house lights be switched to LED to save energy and keep the stage cooler. After these new lights are installed, there should be a dramatic decline in electricity costs, the board heard.
The first day of school went smoothly in all the Manchester Community schools, according to the principals of the elementary, intermediate and high school buildings. The only setback is that the equity testing for this year has been delayed.
The state has not yet sent the growth data for this year and is not expected to until next week at the latest. This is frustrating for schools because this also delays the training for these tests, future teacher evaluations and the needs of the students.
The tests are to be submitted by Sept. 15, but with already this much of a hindrance a month’s time may not be enough to complete this requirement.
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The George K. Baum Company proposed a plan for the budget to reduce the pressure on future taxes during the school board meeting Tuesday. It will be a 3 cent increase, but the taxes of North Manchester have already declined by 13 cents over the past few years.
By 2025 the debt would be completely paid back if it is started now, the board heard. This would cover two major capital project funds.
Ventilation is in need of repair within the school system, the board also heard. It runs nearly 24 hours a day to maintain a comfortable temperature and has leaked periodically. It is inefficient and costly to keep the current system running.
Designs are still being developed and a plan is underway. It must be decided by early December and February how the issue should be addressed.
It was also brought to the school board’s attention that the lighting for Manchester High School’s theater program needs modernization. Theater Director Marilyn Mason told the board, “We have had 18 wonderful years with our equipment, but technology has advanced. They no longer make the bulbs for our current lights. Once our last light goes out it will be gone.”
The theater program teaches high school students how to put on a show whether they are performing or managing the effects. During a recent production, all the main lights went out and the show carried on with two spotlights until intermission.
The outdated technology is no longer reliable and is troubling to maintain. It will take an estimated $300,000 to cover the costs to replace the lighting, which will benefit the students involved in theater as well as the community who come to see their performances, the board heard.
With this upgrade in technology, more capabilities for the lighting will be possible. It was suggested that the five main house lights be switched to LED to save energy and keep the stage cooler. After these new lights are installed, there should be a dramatic decline in electricity costs, the board heard.
The first day of school went smoothly in all the Manchester Community schools, according to the principals of the elementary, intermediate and high school buildings. The only setback is that the equity testing for this year has been delayed.
The state has not yet sent the growth data for this year and is not expected to until next week at the latest. This is frustrating for schools because this also delays the training for these tests, future teacher evaluations and the needs of the students.
The tests are to be submitted by Sept. 15, but with already this much of a hindrance a month’s time may not be enough to complete this requirement.
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