Heating system upgrades at Clintonville Middle School and Dellwood Early Learning Center have taken a $225,000 jump.
The information was presented to the School Board Monday, Oct. 11.
It was reported that work at Dellwood is nearing completion, as things have gone smoothly and contractors expect to complete their work by mid-November.
A request for proposal for work to be done at the middle school was discussed, and the total project cost for all of the work being completed at both schools was estimated at $800,000, as opposed to the original estimate of $575,000, which was approved at the Annual Meeting that saw voters approve nearly an 11 percent increase in the levy.
“We should look at the fund balance to come up with the difference,” said Business Manager Jenny Goldschmidt as the board discussed how to come up with the additional $225,000 needed to complete the HVAC projects. “The fund balance is strong this year. We are doing quite well in that area. Board policy is to have at least 15% in the fund balance, and we are over 25 percent right now. Using the fund balance would also not require another increase to the levy.”
Board members voted unanimously to approve the completion of the project, using the fund balance to cover the difference between the original estimates and the final price. The work is to be completed by May 2011.
The board was also informed that the district’s third Friday student count was down 49 students, as the district had anticipated. Superintendent Tom O’Toole reported that the enrollment decline has been on the horizon for some time, as graduating classes have been larger than incoming Kindergarten classes in recent years. “This could happen again next year,” he said. “It’s not great news, but it’s not unexpected-that’s just the way the ball is bouncing for us right now.”
O’Toole also reported that the CESA district (which Clintonville is a part of) is down 400 students.
Elementary Principal Kris Straumann and Middle School Principal Tom Dechant went on to inform the board that behavioral strategies are in place and are already showing positive results. “The idea is to teach kids to take responsibility for their actions,” Dechant said. “We are working hard to model and explain good behavior to the students. The results have been phenomenal-students are more respectful, quieter, and are working to keep the school cleaner. Our teachers are having more time to teach in class because there are fewer behavior issues.”
The board went on to approve the hire of Brandon McAuly as assistant wrestling coach, as well as the hire of Connie Ullery as a Para I at the Middle School. The board also approved Youth Options requests for nine students to take nursing courses at Fox Valley Technical College in Clintonville, and for one student to take two Macintosh computer courses at NWTC in Shawano. The board also unanimously approved a facility use form update.