School submits app for $4.58M project

Holyoke School District’s Building Excellent Schools Today grant application for a total project cost of $4,584,109 was submitted Feb. 21, reported Superintendent Kyle Stumpf at the March 2 board meeting.

He highlighted the work of the Neenan Group as he referenced the application involving 11 project topics.

With an asbestos seal on much of the drywall in the district, Stumpf explained that an asbestos abatement company will be coming out before any construction can be done.

As a result, the district will be given until March 25 to adjust project costs, which Stumpf said they hope to have by the end of next week.

In explaining the 11 areas that are part of the project proposal, Stumpf  noted that the district proposes an idea or concept for the grant application. If approved, there’s a six-month window in which project specifics can be finalized.

The 11 targeted plans in the application include:

— Provide new elevator to meet all current accessiblity and safety guidelines.

— Renovate existing weight room to the JH locker rooms.

— Provide weight room relocation alternatives.

— Renovate existing locker rooms (upper level) to the new HS locker rooms.

— Renovate the high school main entry for secure school vestibule.

— Relocate and update concessions to a warming and serving kitchen into vacated offices area.

— Provide trainer’s suite in area vacated from concessions.

— Provide accessible ramp to old gym.

— Provide two accessible exterior ramps to existing JH walkways and entrances.

— Provide accessible seating in the auditorium.

— Provide mechanical upgrades to wrestling room.

Stumpf told the local board that by the end of March, the district will be given a date and time in which he and one person from the Neenan Company will give a 10-minute pitch for the district’s application to the BEST board.

Stumpf also reported on the investment grade audit being conducted by Schneider Electric. He said Schneider reps will be in the district next week, and everything is on track for hitting the 30% mark.

From there, he said it will take probably a week to 10 days for 60% completion, and it goes fairly quickly from there.

Stumpf said the fact the district is doing an IGA looks good for the BEST grant application, as well.

Other business

In other business at the March 2 meeting, the school board:

— Noted that 45 individuals were in classrooms that day for the Student-Centered Accountability Program site review. Stumpf said it went well, and he and counselor Angela Powell will be giving a full report to the board at the March 23 meeting.

— Approved five extra-duty assignments for spring sports. They included Ashley Gragg, HS assistant track at a stipend of $1,861; Gina Martin, JH head track, $1,825; Amber Sprague, JH assistant track, $1,241; Andrew Colglazier, volunteer JH track; and Jesus Trejo, volunteer HS baseball.

­— Gave second-reading approval to Colorado Association of School Boards policies that were presented Jan. 7. Topics included staff conduct, professional staff recruiting/hiring, support staff recruiting/hiring, primary/preprimary education and public’s right to know/freedom of information.

— Moved the approval of the superintendent’s 2020-21 contract to a topic for the retreat that immediately followed the board meeting.