Warsaw Schools Discusses Building Security
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By David [email protected]
Director of Buildings and Grounds Greg Schroeder said, “As you probably are aware, Lakeview Middle School and Washington (STEM Academy) are the last two schools that don’t have secure areas from people coming into the school from the outside.”
He said that will be fixed for the upcoming school year.
At Monday’s regular meeting, the board will be asked to award a quote of $22,155.59 to Central Indiana Hardware for security doors at Washington; $16,252.78 to Central Indiana for security entrance at LMS; $11,700 to Butt & Timmons Construction Inc. for security entrance at LMS; and a quote of $1,175 to Custom Fencing Inc. for security entrance to LMS.
Schroeder said the security was discussed with school resource officers and building principals to make sure there was “good buy-in” from everyone.
Board Vice President Matt Dick asked if the SROs were OK with the plans. Schroeder said they were with the LMS plans, but at Washington they wanted to totally relocated the central office. “That wasn’t something we could do this summer and spend a lot of money on,” Schroeder stated.
Dan Metzger, board member, asked if the security would be ready by the time school started. Schroeder said if the board approved it Monday, he hoped it would be.
Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert thanked Schroeder for taking the time to deal with the security and bringing the SROs into the conversation.
On another matter, Schroeder told the board that the bad storm July 1 took out one of the chillers – heating and air conditioning equipment – at Warsaw Community High School.
“I don’t have a firm quote yet to replace it, but we’re looking in the neighborhood of $90,000,” Schroeder said.
While insurance will take care of most of it, WCS has a $25,000 deductible. Director of Business Operations Steve Stichter said Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott probably will take the money out of emergency funds. Stichter said WCS was fortunate the damage wasn’t worse.
Randy Polston, board member, asked if it would be taken care of by the start of the school year. Schroeder said he didn’t know yet.
Stichter also told the board about a new lease agreement with the Warsaw Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
WCS leased some storage space at the former Miner & Lemon law office on Prairie Street, which recently switched buildings with the chamber. The new landlord of the building requires a new contract for that leasing of space, Stichter said. He noted the rate will stay the same and is very competitive, but the chamber wants a two-year lease instead of one.
Schroeder said WCS has been leasing storage space at that building for the last six or seven years after an old barn was torn down on Ind. 15S where WCS used to store equipment. The storage space is about 5,000 to 7,000 square feet.
With that kind of leasing, Metzger asked, couldn’t the school corporation just build a building for storage?
“We could start working toward that,” Schroeder answered. “We would need at least that much space. When we tore down the old building, it cost us space.”
When Stichter presented the budget timeline, he said it wasn’t a whole lot different from previous years’.
“Kevin (Scott) wanted me to remind you we budget conservatively,” he said.
On Aug. 19 at 5 p.m., following the scheduled work session, there will be a budget study session. At the Aug. 25 board meeting, Scott will request permission from the board to advertise publication of notice to taxpayers for the budget, with the first publication of legal notice being Aug. 26.
The second publication of legal notice will be Sept. 2, with the public hearing on the budget set for noon Sept. 5. Official adoption of the budget will be Sept. 22.
Chief Technology Officer Brad Hagg provided several requests for software agreements. Those included a three-year agreement for technology curriculum bundle for the elementary and middle schools from Learning.com for $30,970; renewal of purchase of ALEKS math licenses, secondary-level students, from MHE ALEKS for $33,750; renewal of Dreambox math learning software, elementary-level students, from Dreambox Learning, for $51,600; and purchase of product from TechSmith to assist in the creation and editing of still and video images by students and staff for $29,177.66.
He also reported a last-minute three-year purchase agreement with Adobe for a “ton of products.” The annual cost will be $14,828.50.
“The cost is low because it’s based on our staff count and not student count,” Hagg said.
In final business, the board reviewed WCHS textbook price revisions, an adult education grant and changes to the high school’s student-parent athlete handbook.[[In-content Ad]]
Director of Buildings and Grounds Greg Schroeder said, “As you probably are aware, Lakeview Middle School and Washington (STEM Academy) are the last two schools that don’t have secure areas from people coming into the school from the outside.”
He said that will be fixed for the upcoming school year.
At Monday’s regular meeting, the board will be asked to award a quote of $22,155.59 to Central Indiana Hardware for security doors at Washington; $16,252.78 to Central Indiana for security entrance at LMS; $11,700 to Butt & Timmons Construction Inc. for security entrance at LMS; and a quote of $1,175 to Custom Fencing Inc. for security entrance to LMS.
Schroeder said the security was discussed with school resource officers and building principals to make sure there was “good buy-in” from everyone.
Board Vice President Matt Dick asked if the SROs were OK with the plans. Schroeder said they were with the LMS plans, but at Washington they wanted to totally relocated the central office. “That wasn’t something we could do this summer and spend a lot of money on,” Schroeder stated.
Dan Metzger, board member, asked if the security would be ready by the time school started. Schroeder said if the board approved it Monday, he hoped it would be.
Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert thanked Schroeder for taking the time to deal with the security and bringing the SROs into the conversation.
On another matter, Schroeder told the board that the bad storm July 1 took out one of the chillers – heating and air conditioning equipment – at Warsaw Community High School.
“I don’t have a firm quote yet to replace it, but we’re looking in the neighborhood of $90,000,” Schroeder said.
While insurance will take care of most of it, WCS has a $25,000 deductible. Director of Business Operations Steve Stichter said Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott probably will take the money out of emergency funds. Stichter said WCS was fortunate the damage wasn’t worse.
Randy Polston, board member, asked if it would be taken care of by the start of the school year. Schroeder said he didn’t know yet.
Stichter also told the board about a new lease agreement with the Warsaw Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.
WCS leased some storage space at the former Miner & Lemon law office on Prairie Street, which recently switched buildings with the chamber. The new landlord of the building requires a new contract for that leasing of space, Stichter said. He noted the rate will stay the same and is very competitive, but the chamber wants a two-year lease instead of one.
Schroeder said WCS has been leasing storage space at that building for the last six or seven years after an old barn was torn down on Ind. 15S where WCS used to store equipment. The storage space is about 5,000 to 7,000 square feet.
With that kind of leasing, Metzger asked, couldn’t the school corporation just build a building for storage?
“We could start working toward that,” Schroeder answered. “We would need at least that much space. When we tore down the old building, it cost us space.”
When Stichter presented the budget timeline, he said it wasn’t a whole lot different from previous years’.
“Kevin (Scott) wanted me to remind you we budget conservatively,” he said.
On Aug. 19 at 5 p.m., following the scheduled work session, there will be a budget study session. At the Aug. 25 board meeting, Scott will request permission from the board to advertise publication of notice to taxpayers for the budget, with the first publication of legal notice being Aug. 26.
The second publication of legal notice will be Sept. 2, with the public hearing on the budget set for noon Sept. 5. Official adoption of the budget will be Sept. 22.
Chief Technology Officer Brad Hagg provided several requests for software agreements. Those included a three-year agreement for technology curriculum bundle for the elementary and middle schools from Learning.com for $30,970; renewal of purchase of ALEKS math licenses, secondary-level students, from MHE ALEKS for $33,750; renewal of Dreambox math learning software, elementary-level students, from Dreambox Learning, for $51,600; and purchase of product from TechSmith to assist in the creation and editing of still and video images by students and staff for $29,177.66.
He also reported a last-minute three-year purchase agreement with Adobe for a “ton of products.” The annual cost will be $14,828.50.
“The cost is low because it’s based on our staff count and not student count,” Hagg said.
In final business, the board reviewed WCHS textbook price revisions, an adult education grant and changes to the high school’s student-parent athlete handbook.[[In-content Ad]]
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