Third phase of addition to Highland Park explored

Plans will be drawn and costs more firmly estimated for a third phase of construction to add a multi-purpose room/cafeteria to Highland Park Early Primary School South.

Havre Public Schools Board of Trustees Tuesday directed administration to actively pursue a plan to add the building as an extension of the current addition work that is adding classrooms and office space.

By completing all three phases of the addition at one time, engineers have estimated that the district will experience a savings of $150,000, Clerk Zella Witter told trustees.

Interim Superintendent Andy Carlson said in a phone interview Monday that the cost estimates are coming in between $440,000 and $480,000 for the building, as compared to the r o u g h l y $550,000 it is estimated to cost as a separate building project.

The completion of project components such as grading will be a benefit not only to students playing on non-flooded playgrounds, but also to neighbors whose basements tend to flood from run-off, Witter said.

Along with the cafeteria room, she said, the building lends itself to adding a basement for storage, which is always in high demand, but not a necessity.

The benefits of the additional space will be many, board Chairperson Lee Christianson said, and the use of mainly one-time money to complete the project is a great way to address limited space issues.

"It's something that's going to last way beyond," he said.

And it will help the school's programing by adding time that the gym, which currently doubles as a cafeteria, will be available for students. More gym time will mean more time for students to learn healthy lifestyles, he said.

Once the space issues at Highland Park South are addressed, the district can begin to plan for and address space issues at other campuses, he said.

"We have some minor things that are on the book that are going to have To be addressed," he said.

Because the Highland Park cafeteria would be built using flex fund and ARRA monies in addition to some funds from the elementary building reserve, the district will be able to complete the project without cutting the other schools short, he added.

The construction of class and office space currently under way is only slightly behind schedule despite recent rain, Carlson said, and now that the framework and concrete work are finished, crews can work regardless of the weather.

"I think we're in pretty good shape, and I think it's very reasonable to believe that we'll be in that building when school starts," he said.

He estimated that it would take slightly longer to finish the cafeteria, but that it would be usable in the fall.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, trustees:

• Heard the results of an audit report completed by Denning, Downey & Associates
• P. C. Kim Downey, who presented the report, said that the minor findings found are not anticipated to be an issue in the coming year's audit and that, overall, the district's audit had no significant findings.

• Approved the following personnel action: — Appointed: Mary Jo Wells and Martha Greshock, extended school year teachers; Alisa Pruet, ESY speech paraprofessional; Barry Coy, counselor; Jim Gabriel, Ryan Joy, Andy Smith, Trever Van Campen and Justin Morse, assistant high school track coaches; George Ferguson, head high school tennis coach; Jeremy Heninger, assistant high school tennis coach; Marge Leeds, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America adviser; Brett Shelagowski, freshman advisor; Karla Bolken, junior class adviser; Peggy Safely, national honor society; Brett Hamilton, senior class adviser; Kathy Strauss, sophomore class adviser; Shaylee Lewis, Special Olympi c s advi s e r ; Mar y Wagner, student council adviser; Chris Comp, VICA adviser; Stacey Freier, yearbook adviser; Adam Garcia, summer temporary; and Joanne Gilbert, substitute bus driver.
• — Resignations: Bob Evans, softball coach, and Roger Larson, track coach.