FACILITIES TEAM EXAMINES SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT

In a meeting held recently at Waukon Senior High, the Allamakee Community School District School Facilities Committee met in a special work session with the Board of Education to provide an update on the group's progress thus far.
For those unfamiliar with the committee, the membership was formed slightly over two months ago, shortly after Shive Hattery reports revealed the rapidly deteriorating state of school buildings in this district. The goal of the committee is to research and ultimately recommend a feasible, affordable option to what has been termed the "school facilities crisis."
Currently, some 31 people comprise the committee, providing diversity in ideas and opinions. Not only are members from throughout the district's geographical reaches, they include professionals, parents, grandparents, educators, and many interests in the condition of the schools. The fact that each meeting has seen at least 20 of these members present, says committee chair Fran Gruenhaupt, is positive in that discussion is in-depth as each member expresses differing points of view and varied ideas in the research process.
"It's important that the community be aware of this committee and that this advisory committee build a sense of credibility in the eyes of the community," says Gruenhaupt. "We've met regularly on a weekly basis, two and a half hours per session, since this committee's inception and have progressed tremendously from the first meeting. Not one of us has any preconceived notions as to how this crisis should be solved, and the community can be sure that a thorough job of examining all possibilities will be done by the committee."
Gruenhaupt adds, "This is not a pet project in which a decision will be made off the top of our hats. You can be sure any solution we recommend has been born of sweat and discussion."
According to Gruenhaupt, meetings started some nine weeks ago, the first used to implement a plan of action for the committee and a way in which to fairly conduct the meetings. "We have tried to keep on track, be respectful to each others opinions and ideas, and listen carefully to one another as we work towards an agreeable conclusion to this problem." She adds that there have been various times that discussion has "heated up" as people adamantly voiced their opinions. "This type of discussion, within boundaries, has proven very healthy for this committee."
The following four meetings were held at the various school buildings within the district. "In order to recommend a good process to following in making repairs to the school facilities, and in funding the options, we thought we should first become knowledgeable of what needs to be done, both by visual inspection and use of the Shive Hattery engineer reports." Gruenhaupt adds, "We even spent an evening in one of the portable buildings at the senior high, one of the hottest nights of the year, to get a feel for the condition of those units."
After viewing the buildings, Gruenhaupt says the committee divided into small groups in which members analyzed each building and prioritized what they felt to be the main areas in need of repair and issues in need of attention. The cost of these repairs and a basic timetable was established, however, has not yet been finalized.
"Each meetings also consists of an informational session," says Gruenhaupt. "At one meeting, we learned about various school district funding methods; another time we learned about the educational programs at each center. We've also studied each center's enrollment projections." She adds, "We will continue to learn in each of these areas, primarily in regard to funding options.”
The next step the committee took was to form a list of basic assumptions, agreeable to the majority of committee members, to be considered in formalizing a plan for repairs or replacement. These assumptions, says Gruenhaupt, will act as a guide on which to base decisions. Among those of most importance was safety as a top priority; repair of all leaks to prevent further damage; replacement or repair of mechanical and electrical systems; establishment of a corrective/maintenance plan for air handling systems; the need for a four-year high school; and specific funding options.
And now, in one of the final phases of the decision-making process, committee members have established a list of options, though tentative, outlining ways in which community members may plan to address the school facilities crisis. Not yet ready to release, each option must be fully detailed and affixed with an approximate cost for implementation. It is this aspect of the planning process on which the committee is now focused.
During the joint meeting of the Board of Education and School Facilities Committee, Gruenhaupt cited, on behalf of the latter committee, a number of concerns that members feel need immediate addressing - safety being of major concern.
"There were a number of electrical issues outlined in the Shive Hattery reports, including a lack of grounding and adequate power supply to support technical systems at each of the centers." Electrical concerns in shower and bathroom areas, where power supplies are near water sources, were also cited as priorities.
Additionally, the committee presented the Board of Education with the tentative list of options. "Though the group is not in agreement on a certain plan for recommendation, we would like the board to become familiar with this work in progress and offer any opinions or ideas," said Gruenhaupt.
And finally, Gruenhaupt requested the Board of Education's opinion regarding the immediate repair of all roofing systems within the district. The committee estimated the total cost to do so at $250,000 and suggested that the board help fund this portion of the project with any accessible funds in their budget.
"The evolution in thinking among committee members is considerable," says Gruenhaupt of the committee. "As we've continued to meet, we've begun to discuss things that, at the beginning, would not have been discussed at all."
The major round of discussion has surrounded the condition of the junior high building," says Omer Troyer, superintendent of schools. "The question, obviously, is whether to build or repair. The fact that there are no guarantees with repair has some people bothered." Adds Troyer, "The topic is sort of a bottle neck; once we can come to an acceptable conclusion on that issue, solutions to the others will more easily fall into place."
In an effort to prevent a similar building crisis from arising years down the road, Troyer adds that the Board of Education has approved a new position, specifically that of the buildings and grounds supervisor.
"Dennis Mahr, who has been with the school district for years, has agreed to assume the position and will be responsible for documenting all repairs and maintenance conducted at each facility, each year. He will help draw a clear line in the sand from this point forward so that a solid plan for maintenance can be implemented."
Troyer adds, "Although plans always exceed funding capabilities, it's important to keep track of what's in the rear, to keep that cumulative effect out there. We hope that this will not only will make evident the need for additional funding for school maintenance and repairs, but help the community understand why certain repairs simply cannot be undertaken, due to funding restrictions, and instill a desire to take action to prevent further deterioration."
More information will be provided publicly as the committee progresses in the research process. In recent discussion, committee members conveyed a desire to launch an educational campaign during the second half of this year. Such a campaign will serve to inform the public of the various building repair and replacement options available, the funding requirements for each, respective advantages and disadvantages, and the effects of varied funding options on one’s taxes.
"Simply stated," says Troyer, "the school facilities crisis is one in need of a solution, though potential solutions can vary."
Members of the School Facilities Committee include Arnie Snook, Bruce and Deb Kubitz, Craig Phipps, Dave and Karen Mathis, Erin Berns, Fran Gruenhaupt, Fred Smith, Greg Morningstar, Heidi Anderson, Heidi Hesse, James Bieber, Jerry and Kathie Heck, Joe Peters, Larry Dundee, Mary Jo Meyer, Mary Jo Nordheim, Nancy Walleser, Norman Delphey, Peggy Perry, Randy Kruger, Ron Herman, Russell Roth, Sandra Ehrhardt, Scott and Barb Melcher, Steve Wiedner, Tom Baxter, and Virgil Thorstenson.