District prioritizes capital improvements

Lori EhdeLuverne School Board members recently approved their five-year plan for maintenance and capital improvements."It’s a working document," said District Financial Officer Marlene Mann. "None of it is cut in stone."Superintendent Vince Schaefer clarified that Tuesday’s failed referendum will not affect capital outlay plans."It is a totally separate fund," he said. "The monies we have earmarked here are in no way tied to the proposed referendum. For example, money allocated for mowers cannot be used to pay for textbooks. That’s dictated by law."Included in the capital outlay plan is the completion of the middle school-high school’s upgrade of its heating and cooling system. More than $563,000 is allocated to the project over the next two years.Other major expenditures planned for the middle school-high school building include:
A three-year tuck-pointing project is budgeted at $60,000 per year starting in 2005-06.
Roof replacement over the ag shop, library and small gyms is budgeted at $60,000 per year over four years starting in 2005-06.
Work on the administrative offices is budgeted at $90,000 over the next two years.
Remodeling the superintendent’s office is scheduled for 2006-07 at about $80,000.
Cafeteria and lighting will be improved in 2006-07 at about $35,000.
Replacing the middle school-high school fire alarm in 2006-07 may cost about $180,000.
Electrical improvements in the computer room, ceiling and wall is budgeted at $50,000.
Tile removal of four rooms per year over the next five years is planned at $10,850 per year. Tile replacement is set at $6,000 per year over the next five years, four rooms per year.Improvements to building and grounds
$160,000 for track improvements in 2006-07.
Sidewalk repair and replacement at $12,000 per year for five years.
$3,000 per year for five years for playground and grounds improvements
$4,000 per year for five years for field maintenance.
În 2005-06, $25,000 is budgeted for tennis court lights.
A $50,000 mower was purchased for 2004-05.
Sealcoating is planned for 2005-06 at $20,000.In the elementary school the big-ticket improvements fall in the area of technology. Roughly $175,000 is allocated over the next five years for computer upgrades and replacements.The board approved the capital outlay budget at its Oct. 26 meeting.The complete plan, which may change according to district needs, is available for review in the superintendent’s office.Community Education director’s contract:In other business that day, the board approved a contract for Community Education Director Karen Willers.Willers received a 3 percent raise for 2004-05, bringing her salary from $40,878 to $42,104. She’ll receive another 3 percent raise in 2005-06, bringing her salary to $43,367.