The Alva Public Schools continue to work on implementing goals and initiatives set during the strategic planning sessions last school year. Instead of an oral report by school and community leaders, Superintendent Tim Argo presented a written report on the capital improvement plan to the school board Monday. All members of the school board were present.
The capital improvement plan includes facilities, technology and transportation. Each of those divisions formed committees composed of school personnel and community members to review the implementation of action steps.
The facilities committee is composed of Brad Franz, Tim Maharry, Melissa Harzman, Derrick Graves, Cindy Goss, Chris Stewart, Jerry Egner, Leeta Grimsley and school board member Tiffany Slater. The committee has met multiple times since the spring of 2019 to prioritize initial improvement projects.
Phase I projects will address HVAC in the new gym, art building renovations, extending the high school north parking four feet, a new sidewalk beside the north parking lot, re-striping the north parking lot, widening the alley road to allow two-way traffic, track and field/football area (concession, restroom, storage; track expansion, resurface, drainage, erosion control; new lights; tiered parking entry apron renovation; new ADA bleachers; northeast ADA ramp). The projected cost for this phase is $2,063,037.
The Phase II projects will include a new high school southeast parking lot, ag farm improvements, softball field improvements, and the addition of a southwest ADA ramp and perimeter parking at the track and field/football area. The projected cost is $657,861.
Several other projects are being considered for a third phase. At this time, proposed projects will be financed through the school’s building fund with an anticipated start date of spring 2020.
The technology committee consists of Kaitlyn Bouziden, Chris Eckhardt, Phillip Anton, Dani Cushenberry, Paul Hamilton, Shaylyn Weder, Cecily Franz, Matt Stratton, Craig Ricke and Keli Woods.
They will be reviewing the current school district technology plan, consider external funding and grant applications, complete a district-wide assessment of technology equipment and review existing software programs for duplication and efficiency.
Making up the transportation committee are Steve Ellis, Richard Burton, Derrick Thomas, Randy McMurphy, James Lott, Biron Shirley, Brian Parker and Jeff Levetzow. This committee is reviewing student safety and development of a replacement plan for vehicles.
Each of the school sites also used the state school board association’s building assessment tool to evaluate all facilities to determine capital improvement needs. Supt. Argo said he appreciated all the work put in by administrators, teachers and staff on this project.
Alva Public Schools will be posting ongoing reports about progress on goals and initiatives. Currently the site has a story on targeted interventions in math at each school.
School Board Recognition Month
January is school board recognition month. Supt. Argo told the board how much he appreciates the many hours they put in working for the school. He said in the last three years, the board has presented over $3 million in stipends to teachers and staff. He presented each board member with a certificate recognizing their contribution to the school system.
Financial
Looking at the financial report, Argo pointed out that gross production revenue is down over $500,000 from this time last year. He said collections are down and expenses are up, mainly with teacher pay raises. Illustrating this trend, he provided expense totals for the same period last year and this year: 18-19 expenses totaled $186,999.25 compared to 19-20 expenses of $232,296.63
Supt. Argo highlighted several expenditures from the general fund including computers, refinishing of floors at the middle school, the purchase of inventory software, HVAC repairs at the middle school and the purchase of football helmets. He said new safety rules require that football helmets be reconditioned more often. Football helmets are also more fitted to the head, requiring more sizes.
Other Business
The board approved continuing the lease of a 2017 Collins bus through Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc. Argo said the 14 passenger bus gets a lot of use. The transportation committee will be looking at whether it is more feasible to lease or purchase a bus in the future.
Revisions to the extra duty salary schedule and the revised extra duty assignment schedule were approved. Dawn Self-Hill was added to these. She will be covering for Lincoln Principal Madison Williams during her maternity leave.
A video of the school board meeting may be viewed at AlvaReviewCourier.com.
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