School Facilities Committee Meeting Minutes - March 30, 2000

Facilities Advisory Committee
Minutes of March 30, 2000
The Facilities Committee of the Allamakee Community School District met on
Thursday, March 30, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. at the senior high cafeteria.

Members present: Fran Gruenhaupt, Arnie Snook, Bruce Kubitz, Colleen Gragg,
Dave Mathis, Karen Mathis, Erin Berns, Fred Smith, Greg Morningstar, James
Bieber, Jerry Heck, Kathie Heck, Mary Jo Mayer, Mary Jo Nordheim, Norman
Delphy, Randy Kruger, Ron Herman, Sandra Ehrhardt, Tom Baxter, Virgil
Thorstenson, Steve Weidner and Larry Dundee.

Members absent: Deb Kubitz, Dwight Watkins, Joe Peters, Nancy Walleser and
Russel Roth.

Others attending were Dean Sorenson, Heidi Anderson, Heidi Hesse, and Omer
Troyer.

Mr. Snook opened the meeting and stressed the following ground rules:
1. Follow the agenda
2. Be respectful and positive
3. No put downs
4. Be open to listen
5. No side bars (pay attention)
6. Stay under control

A seventh Ground Rule was added:
7. Change meeting places between schools

Mr. Troyer added to the meeting the committee process. (see attached form)
He also informed the committee of some corrections in the study booklet
prepared by the engineers. Corrections include:
1. Page 6 of the summary section- change high school approx. bldg. Are to
74,250 sq. ft. and totally area to 254,550 sq. ft.
2. Page 25A was added to the Waterville Elementary section which was
accidentally omitted by the engineers.

Next Mr. Troyer reviewed the objectives for the Facilities Advisory
Committee.

Fran Gruenhaupt has accepted the position of chairperson of the committee.
Mary Jo Meyer accepted the nomination of recorder for the committee. Fran
Gruenhaupt began her duties ad chairperson this time.

Each person in attendance was asked for input at this time. Items discussed
were:
1. Request that each member read the Building Conditions Study Booklet
thoroughly and each member visit each learning site to view building
conditions.
2. Safety issues are a real concern- review page 40 of High School section
and page 23 of West Elementary, electrical needs, junction boxes should be
done now, should not wait for the committee to study these conditions
3. Prioritize repairs
4. Funding issues a real concern- A financial Statement of the School
system was requested. School Business Manager, Janice Rea, will be asked to
attend a committee meeting to explain the 2 types of funding and amounts.
Compared to other schools, our funding is low. There is no super fund in
the state of Iowa to draw from for infrastructure. (unlike most other
states) How much of the school budget is set aside for repairs each year?
5. Replacement rather than repair- options to consider
6. Enrollment by class K through 12 was requested, classroom capacity, what
direction is school district heading
7. Request to read appendix A, first two pages
8. Need to anticipate needs in academics and best education, don't need to
repair something that is obsolete, do not take funding from educational
programs for repairs, how many more classes are offered now compared to 10
& 20 years ago
9. Along with building recommendations, need to submit a maintenance plan
10. Boilers for hearing, may be other ways to heat, natural gas, thermal,
may be grants available
11. The need to keep record of maintenance
12. The public is encouraged to attend theses committee meetings

>From this discussion Mr. Troyer concluded that the committee needs more
information in order o get started in the following areas:
1. Enrollment trends
2. Funding sources
3. Educational programs

He will have funding and enrollment trends ready at the April 6 meeting.
However, the enrollment decreased 62 kids this year or 3.8% to a total of
1530 kids. If this were to continue, enrollment would be at 1250 kids by
the year 2005. There were 2450 kids enrolled in the year 1971. Another item
to consider, St. Patricks Parish has started 7th Grade and will have an 8th
grade next year. However, St. Patricks students can choose any classes they
want to attend in the schools which causes some complicated scheduling and
space taking.

The committee then broke into small groups by buildings:
High School- Fred Smith, Tom Baxter, Mary Jo Nordheim, Erin Berns, Steve
Weidner
West Elementary- Kathie Heck, Ron Hernam, Norman Delphy, Randy Kruger
Waterville Elementary- Karin Mathis, Dave Mathis, Jerry Heck, Sandra
Ehrhardt, Virgil Thotstenson
East Elem. & Jr. High- Bruce Kubitz, Colleen Gragg, Jim Bieber, Larry
Dundee, Greg Morningstar, Arnie Snook, Heidi Hesse, Heidi Anderson, Mary Jo
Meyer.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Jo Meyer