LMCS to get summer makeover

At a work session earlier this year, the board outlined a number of priorities for building improvements and maintenance for the upcoming summer. From the list of possibilities, they voted last Monday night to approve the following (listed in order of cost, with most expensive first): Allocation of money toward a bus facility ($200,000); a new roof over the kindergarten and first grade areas (roughly $126,000); new high school gym floor ($85,000 roughly); asbestos removal and ceiling replacement in first grade and kindergarten rooms and hallway ($65,000 roughly); foyer bathroom remodeling ($61,000 roughly); ceiling and lights in the elementary hallway*( $22,500 roughly); Press boxes at baseball and softball complex ($20,000 roughly); tuck pointing ($14,000 roughly); and, updating smoke and fire detectors ($14,000 roughly). The prices for each project are based on estimates received, and could vary slightly. The quoted price for the gymnasium floor could be dramatically increased—up to $20,000—should it be revealed that the cement under the floor is in poor condition and needs major repair or replacement. *The ceiling lighting project is scheduled to begin during spring break this year.
The estimated total of the projects to be completed comes in at just over $600,000 ($607,500), if estimates hold true and there is not major cement work under the gymnasium floor. That would push the price tag up by roughly $20,000.
The school will utilize a variety of funding sources to undertake the projects, including regular and voted Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), from which the district receives approximately $436,000 per year; School Infrastructure Local Options (SAVE), from which the school will receive approximately $559,00 per year, as well as the board voted Instruction Support Levy, which is up for renewal in 2020. In all, Superintendent Kohagen said that right around $1,000,000 per year is available to the school through a combination of these sources.
Kohagen noted that many of these projects, such as the tuck pointing and roofing projects are a result of the board wanting to be “good stewards of the building, and taking care of things, before they become an issue.” He noted that in the case of the gymnasium floor, it is original construction, circa 1966, and many “dead spots” are being experienced. “The vendors say that the current floor is done,” he said. The work to install a new surface will likely mean that the gymnasium will be out of commission for several months shortly after graduation this year.
While the board continues to weigh their options on a bus barn, they voted to set aside $200,000 toward a facility. Kohagen noted that while the board and administration recognize the need for a roomier facility, “nothing has been decided on a bus barn,” in terms of location, size or any logistics.
A flurry of resignations and new hires were approved by the board last week, with Signe Meinders being approved as a half time Family Consumer Science instructor, and half time learner assistant for next school year. Lisa Johanson was approved to be middle school cheer leading coach, while Dustin Hrubetz will take over middle school boys track. Resigning from their positions: Matt Daniels, assistant football; Shelby Dietrich, assistant speech; Becky Hengesteg, varsity girls track (after the current season); and Rebecca Roethler, high school basketball cheer leading.