Viewpoint Data Warehouse service — An initial setup cost of $13,880 and $5,000 for the second year, will provide the district with centralized, integrated student data, enabling the schools to evaluate all testing results and measure performance in conformity with state data models and standards. This will be a major advance in the district’s capabilities for curriculum planning, and will give staff tools for diagnostics and instruction.
Ellendale Parking Lot — new second parking lot, to be constructed by Crane Creek Construction, with a low bid of $65,104. Approved pending their ability to get the job completed within the district’s timeline.
Ellendale Storage Garage — to be completed by Associated Lumber Marts, at a bid of $29,931 for everything. The garage is being built to supply additional space needed as a result of the fourth section of Kindergarten that will be required this year.
Regrade and resurface New Richland track — grading to be done by Ulland Bros. for $77,896 and poly-track rubberized surface to be applied by Fisher Track for $71,399.
Not as wild as it looks
Superintendent Kevin Wellen pointed out to board members and visitors that the month’s unusual spending was not as extravagant or unusual as it appeared.
Mitigating factors include possible grant money from Monsanto and HickoryTech up to a possible $20,000, and an anticipated $5,000-10,000 from Panther Card donations.
Also, the board agreed with the option of skipping a year in the district’s ongoing roofing plan.
“We’re down to our last four or five roofing projects,” said Wellen, “and we’re putting down 30-year roofs.”
A break in the roofing schedule will also soften the blow of an $80,000 bus purchase, a lawn tractor for Ellendale at $19,950, and $30,000 in textbook purchases — all of which were in the regular budget plan.
The new parking lot in Ellendale will be used as a bus turnaround, so will be eligible for Crime Levy funding assistance.
The money spent on the track in New Richland doesn’t look bad considering the $5,000 every few years the district was recommended to spend on maintenance for the old track. Knowing the track was only good for 12 years anyway, the district chose not to spend the additional money. So the board considers replacing the track now, after 15 years, to be actually a maintenance expense.
Goodbye, Honeywell
A final $16,714 check to Honeywell, closing the books on the ESG project, drew frowns from some after all the dispute over accountability, but it was reluctantly decided to pay the money and get the matter closed.
Other business
Following up on discussion, the board moved to change the date of the annual organizational meeting from July to January, to facilitate the impact of newly elected board members.
Duey Ferber’s resignation as B-squad football coach was accepted “with gratitude.”
Andrew S. Peterson was approved for hire as new High School Social Studies teacher, starting at BA step 4. Peterson comes to NRHEG from St. Paul Harding.
Jennifer Fredrickson, formerly teaching in Lakeville, was approved for hire as new vocal music instructor, at MA-10. Fredrickson has 14 years experience.
