TEUTOPOLIS – Any good carpenter knows you measure twice before cutting.
Teutopolis Unit 50 school board has taken a similar approach this year as it ponders funding a multi-million dollar grade school improvement project.
On Monday night, board members accepted a draft resolution on a public question proposed for the Nov. 3 election ballot. The dollar amount sought through a bond issue is not yet decided. That figure will be hammered out in coming weeks.
Unit 50 Superintendent Matt Sturgeon explained the board has reviewed three conceptual options for Teutopolis Grade School work related to moving the six grade classes to the junior high school and addressing various improvements to the 70-year-old section of the school building. The estimated costs from the architect range from approximately $10 million to $15 million, depending on the final scope of the work.
Sturgeon emphasized no final plan has been approved, meaning the board has not taken final action on placing a referendum on the ballot. A decision is expected in August in order to meet the deadline for placing a public question on the ballot. The district will make the draft documentation from Monday available for public review before considering a final vote at the August regular meeting, scheduled for Aug. 10.
The school district has posted detailed information on a website section, called “Facilities: A Clear View.” The intent is to keep school district residents updated on the TGS project. There have been meetings and virtual video tours this year to explain the challenges ahead for the grade school.
“It comes down to being open and honest with the public on this,” Sturgeon said.
Getting the dollar amount set on the referendum will draw more attention and questions from taxpayers, school board member Kari Thompson said.
“We don’t want them saying ‘You’re having a referendum’ [right before the election]. Many people don’t pay attention until you put a dollar amount to it,” Thompson said.
The school district could offer times for one-on-one meetings or small group gatherings to answer questions on the referendum or other ways to keep the public informed. These meetings might offer coffee or cheese and crackers. But don’t count on biscuits and gravy during any morning visits to the district office.
Work is winding down at Teutopolis Junior High where sixth graders will be starting in their new section on Aug. 18. New classrooms and bathrooms have been built onto TJHS for the influx of new students. But some of the work in the school will extend into September, TJHS principal Pat Drees said.
Installation of lockers will be delayed as well as work relating to some teacher workspaces. Drees said six graders can rely on hooks to place their backpacks until new lockers are in place.
Sturgeon said that news is frustrating because the junior high work bid dated back to December.
Resurfacing of the Teutopolis High School gym floor has ran into a worse-case scenario with major peeling this summer. This will require a vendor to complete sanding of the floor and that could affect the volleyball team’s early home games. The junior high school gym can be used until the floor work is completed.
Another concern for the school district is the ongoing road work along Harvester Street, which leads directly to the junior high school. The road was expected to be completed before the start of school, but the school district wants to be ready if that deadline is not met.
“Regarding Harvester Street, we are continuing to monitor the project timeline closely as the start of the school year approaches. The village has stayed in close contact with the district, and we will adjust bus routes and school traffic procedures as needed.” Sturgeon stated after the board meeting.
After a closed session, board members hired Jon Lee as high school girls tennis coach and Kathy Lee as high school girls tennis volunteer. The hirings are contingent on completion of background investigation, employment history review and verification or completion of necessary licensing for the positions. Kevin McKenna was named THS eSports sponsor. In addition, the board approved a leave of absence for Tara Niemerg.
In other business, the board approved Teutopolis State Bank and First National Bank of Dieterich, Teutopolis Branch, as depositories for school funds and voted to destroy recordings of closed minutes dating back 18 months or more. In addition, other closed session minutes will remain sealed.