Lighting, controls near completion in energy project

All of the lighting and 90% of the controls are expected to be done this week in Holyoke School District’s energy performance contract with Schneider Electric, reported Superintendent Kyle Stumpf at the April 20 school board meeting.

All LED lights were to be installed by April 21. Stumpf pointed out that with the old system, lights came on as someone entered a room. Lights have to be turned on with the new system but will turn off on their own if no one is there within five minutes.

Stumpf said there is also a sensor detecting number of bodies in the room so it will cool off with more people and warm up with fewer.

About 90% of the controls are expected to be complete by the end of this current week, and Schneider Electric will complete the rest of the control project when segments of the Building Excellent Schools Today project are complete.

Stumpf praised the Schneider Electric personnel who have gone above and beyond with extra meetings with the Howell-Wold team regarding mechanical for the new construction areas.

Project manager Ryan Smelker looks out for the district in the BEST project, but Stumpf noted that Schneider Electric has also made some suggestions, and the Howell-Wold team has been very receptive to that as well.

“I think we’ll end up with a really high-quality system with really good controls that will meet all our desires with our energy performance grant and all of our desires with BEST. I’m happy for the partnership created there,” Stumpf added.

Funds spent in Holyoke by Schneider Electric at such businesses as motels, restaurants and grocery stores since January added up to $15,665, reported Stumpf. He was pleased to note the contribution to the local economy as a result of the work being done at the school.

In an update on the BEST project, Stumpf said a demolition crew, plumber crew, one of the electrical crews and one of two supervisors were in Holyoke on April 20 to assess the project.

At this point, all drawings are done and permits have been filed and granted. Stumpf said Smelker is doing a great job of advocating for the district and that there are lots of odds and ends to do before demolition begins May 10.

Staff changes approved

One retirement, three new-hires for 2021-22 and an extra-duty assignment change were approved at last week’s board meeting.

The board accepted the resignation from Holyoke Elementary School reading interventionist Lynn Schneider at the end of the current school year. She will then be employed as a retired teacher to fill a critical shortage position next year and possibly several more years.

Three elementary school teachers were approved for 2021-22 including Heather Pelle, second grade; Sharlene Gordon, sixth grade; and Chasta Borland, fourth grade.

Pelle is a 2011 HHS graduate. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Colorado State University and her associate degree in hospitality management with an emphasis in special events through Front Range Community College.

Gordon completed her student teaching last fall in Holyoke and was a long-term sub for two other teachers at the elementary school this year. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education through Grand Canyon University.

Borland has worked in Perkins County, Nebraska, as a JH/HS special education teacher for three years and at Wray Elementary as a first grade teacher for four years. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education K-12 special education from York College and completed her Master of Arts in education in curriculum and instruction through the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

In other personnel matters regarding extra-duty assignments, the board accepted the resignation of HS assistant track coach Ashley Gales and hired Gina Martin for the position for the 2021-22 school year.

Teachers report

JR/SR high art teacher Jade Goldenstein and math teacher Cristine Mallari reported at last week’s school board meeting.

Goldenstein told about the digital art class she is teaching. She said they started with Photoshop skills, then progressed to designing for a purpose with print, digital and Instagram ads.

She taught Adobe Illustrator skills, logo design, Adobe Fresco and video. Next year Goldenstein said she will be offering Digital Art II and will end with a special certification from Adobe.

In a joint funding effort between the Re-1J Foundation and the Heginbotham Trust, Goldenstein said that $24,393 was received. This provided funds for 16 iPads, Apple Magic Keyboards, Apple Pencils, and three digital cameras with accessories.

Mallari presented the math curriculum that is being used in the district. She showcased what the group has been working on.

She noted that the teachers went over objectives/intentions in the math curriculum to identify gaps and overlaps. She said that they assured that the 2020 academic state standards were met.

In the future, she said they will not only put the learning intention but also the success level reached for each student.

Financial outlook improves

At the end of the third quarter, Budget and Finance Director Ben Rahe said the financial outlook for the district has improved throughout the year.

With state revenues coming in better than projected, Rahe said the budget stabilization factor looks to be cut in half for the district, according to early projections for next year.

There is also excitement around the possiblity of increased funding for special education kids. “This would go a long way for our district as we have a very high special education population and multiple high-needs students,” said Rahe.

Other business

In other business April 20, the school board:

­— Approved Linda Esser from Germany to be a foreign exchange student for the 2021-22 school year.

— Noted that start time for summer board meetings, starting in June, will be 8 p.m.

— Heard from building principals on the March 11 parent-teacher conferences. Andrea Kammer reported 94.4% attendance in grades K-6. Angela Powell cited there’s typically lower attendance at spring conferences than fall at the JR/SR high and that JH attendance is higher than HS.

­— Approved first reading of Colorado Association of School Boards revised policies on graduation requirements and a new policy exhibit for graduation requirements for the Class of 2022.

— Reviewed a new CASB policy exhibit on graduation requirements and revised policies on school nutrition program, free and reduced-price food services, graduation requirements, early literacy and reading comprehension, screening/testing of students and public conduct on district property.