The West Liberty School board of education heard an update on construction of the West Liberty Middle School 10-classroom addition Monday evening, March 1, at their regular meeting held at the District Office of the Superintendent of Schools.
Dr. Diego Giraldo, superintendent, said he met Monday with builders and engineers of the project, who reported the work is lagging about one week off schedule due to winter weather, but says that’s nothing to worry about as construction progresses to meet a deadline to have the building operational for the opening of the 2021-’22 school year.
“Everything looks very promising,” he said, complimenting the progress of Peak Construction.
The board did have to approve a change order for the construction, increasing costs by $2,699 to $2.29 million. The work includes the installation of a sump pump alarm for the existing sump pump, adding $1,685 to the project as well as modifying a corridor door after a state fire marshall review, bringing another $1,014 cost to the project.
VanMaaner Electric, Inc. of Newton was hired to take on the alarm project. They were also hired to wire the automatic door that was part of the change, purchased from Doors Inc. for $608.
Dr. Giraldo also talked about getting updates from each school administrator regarding school improvement plans, pointing out the plans will be important moving forward in the next school year for the new superintendent as well as school faculty and students.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic has created “learning gaps” in local education as it has in every school, pointing out these areas need to be identified as quickly as possible to keep students on track. The superintendent said various programs may need to be established in order to get students back on track, including the possibility of summer school education.
In other business, the board heard a presentation by the high school FFA Chapter’s Ag Issues and Perceptions Team of Tye Miller, Aly Harned, Taylor Eason, Cassie Aleman, Rachel Aird, Jack Mahoney, Kylie Struck.
The team will be competing in district competition this weekend and was given an opportunity to create their presentation in front of the board, introduced by FFA advisor Zach Morris.
The title of the program was on “Quality Broadband Connectivity – Is it essential for rural farm operations seeking to be competitive and progressive?”
The board did approve a fundraising project for the high school girls soccer team of Manuel Machado. The group of about 35 team members will be selling Subway restaurant coupon booklets, hoping each player is able to sell 15 booklets, most to be sold on-line.
The funds will be used to purchase practice balls, training equipment, warm-ups, masks, coaching shirts, uniforms and practice equipment for the upcoming spring season.
The board also approved several personnel changes at the meeting including acceping resignations for Katie Stimson, an elementary physical education teacher as well as Hannah Boyd, a fourth grade teacher. Both will be finishing the present school year.
Kali Hills, an elemetary special education teacher also resigned her position as well as Jesse Miller, a van driver, giving up his position on March 12.
There were three new hires by the board including Nick Frenz as boys golf coach, Katie Hochstetter as a school nurse and Jackie Henderson as assistant varsity track coach.
Appointments were also made for teacher leadership positions as instructional coaches including Melody Russell at the middle school, Melia Larson at the high school, Tonya Gingerich at the middle school as well as Cindy Gonzalez and Sarah Wagamon in pre-kindergarten through fourth grade.
The board also officially hired Shaun Kruger as the new Superintendent of Schools. (see related story on front page).
The next meeting of the board will take place on Monday, March 15, beginning at 6 p.m. from the district office. It will include a budget presentation for the 2021-22 school year.