BIRD ISLAND
— Residents within the BOLD School District can click on by way of 24 photographs on the college’s
to see why the college board goes again to the voters with a $39.5 million bond referendum to enhance the college’s amenities.
Or, they may do as a couple of dozen residents did on Wednesday evening, and be part of Superintendent Jim Menton for a private have a look at what these web site photos in regards to the college’s “needs” attempt to painting.
The tour was on the Bird Island facility. High college college students have been taking part in basketball within the district’s gymnasium because the tour started.
The health club’s wooden ground must be changed, Hans Noel, improvement engineer, with
of Maple Grove, identified to the tour individuals.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
Menton began his tour beneath the ground, within the locker rooms.
“The kids don’t do any changing or showering here. I’ll show you why,” he stated in a presentation earlier than main the group into the musty confines.
He stated the state of affairs isn’t any higher in Olivia, the place a faculty board member as soon as despatched him images of ants within the locker room. “Embarrassing” was among the many adjectives he used to explain elements of the amenities.
The tour went downhill from there, to the aged steam-heat boilers which have been patched collectively to see the amenities by way of one other season.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
There’s a protracted listing of issues: An aged and insufficient heating, air flow and air-conditioning system; home windows and doorways that enable moisture in and a few which don’t open or absolutely shut; and corroded pipes — all of which have been among the many visuals on the Bird Island tour.
Facilities job pressure member Pat Baumgartner, who was a part of the tour, stated the issues demand all the consideration of the college’s upkeep workers.
“They’re focused on putting out fires now, constantly fighting fires,” he stated of the hassle to maintain up.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
of Maple Grove, developed the plan to deal with the wants after what Menton described as a “deep dive” into analyzing the situation of the amenities. The plan as outlined on the college web site — at
calls for transforming giant parts of the amenities and eradicating among the aged parts, together with the 1912-vintage space in Bird Island.
Menton stated the district has labored for 2 years with a amenities job pressure representing a cross-section of residents to assist develop the proposal being put earlier than voters on Nov. 7. Addressing security and safety wants, changing the aged home windows and doorways and transforming outdated studying areas to supply extra flexibility are among the many new design plans.
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
The state’s
— which reduces the tax burden on agricultural lands by means of a state reimbursement to the district — will cowl 48% of the general prices for the proposed undertaking. Agricultural properties will probably be liable for 21%, residential 19%, business 9%, and leisure lands 3%.
Voters within the district in a
February 2021 referendum had overwhelmingly rejected a $62.6 million bond
that included new development.
That’s not on the desk this time. Menton stated the district had a agency conduct two surveys within the district that serves the communities of Bird Island, Lake Lillian and Olivia. The message was clear.
“People don’t support a new building,” he stated. “It’s just not going to happen.”
Tom Cherveny / West Central Tribune
Menton stated he’s heard from many who’ve advised him: “A building doesn’t teach kids.” He refuted the notion that buildings don’t matter in schooling.
“If it is run down, it sets a tone. It absolutely does,” he stated.
He will probably be main a public tour of the Olivia amenities beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27.
Early voting within the referendum opened Sept. 22, when residents have been in a position to choose up ballots on the district places of work in Olivia.
