Rib Lake looks at earlier school year start
School could start earlier next fall for students and staff at Rib Lake School District.
At the January 15 board meeting, district administrator Travis Grubbs reported that the Department of Public Instruction had approved the district’s waiver request to start school earlier due to the construction project.
Grubbs has asked for the flexibility on the start date for next year in order to give more time for the completion of the kitchen renovation at the high school. That kitchen prepares meals for all the students in the district and Grubbs had noted that unless it was up and running they could not hold school. The project is slated to be completed during the second year of the referendum project. It is hoped that by starting earlier it will maximize the time in the spring for the work to begin right away.
Grubbs said he has surveyed staff about their preferences for a start date and said there are other factors with the construction schedule next summer that will help in setting a specific start date. He said he told board members that they would have a specific date to be approved at the next school board meeting. For now, he said they are looking at starting about a week earlier in order to ensure the school year will be done by Memorial Day.
In other referendum project action, Grubbs reported that the bond sales have settled and that the money is being held in high yield savings and short-term CDs until it is needed to start paying for construction work to begin this summer.
He said the open house for contractors went well with between 30 and 35 different contractors coming through to look at the facilities. He said most were looking at portions of the job like mechanical and plumbing. The contractors will have time to submit additional questions before bids are due on January 30. He said Findorff will submit bids to him ahead of that date for the work the company wants to do. Findorff is the general contractor for the project.
Grubbs said roughly 35 different bid packages are available.
Grubbs also reported on asbestos abatement that will need to take place. Of particular concern is the tile in the school kitchen. He said he would like to have all the asbestos removed in the impacted portions of the buildings at one time and has received a tentative approval from the health department to be able to have a bare concrete floor in the kitchen provided any cracks are filled for the upcoming school year until the kitchen phase of the project takes place.
Behind the wheel Rib Lake students will have the option of a behind the wheel drivers instruction through the school district.
Last month, the board had authorized Grubbs to purchase a vehicle to be used for the driver’s education program as well as a vehicle to be used for mail and transferring things between the buildings.
Grubbs announced that the district will be purchasing a used EcoSport SE sport utility vehicle through Medford Motors. “Thank you Medford Motors,” Grubbs said, praising the dealership for working with the school to find an appropriate vehicle. He especially praised David “Beaner” Lemke for the extra work he did in trying to get the best vehicle possible within the school’s budget. The $18,000 purchase cost includes installation of a right side brake pedal that is needed for a drivers instruction.
Grubbs noted that while it is smaller, the seats fold down allowing more cargo space for bulkier items. The purchase is split between the district’s general education accounts and the community service accounts. Fees charged for drivers education will pay back the purchase and upkeep costs over time.
In other business, board members:
• Received a report for upcoming activities from the student council. One such activity is an intergenerational breakfast that is planned for January 24 from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. Student council representative Connor Highfill said the goal is to create bridges to connect students with more older individuals in the community
• Approved authorizing Grubbs to spend $4,200 to get borings done on the track to determine the condition of the base. The district has received about $300,000 in donations and pledges toward replacing the track. Grubbs explained the borings will allow them to move forward with getting first cost estimates on the work.
• Approved formally agreeing that there would be no cap on the number of open enrollment spaces available for people coming into the district. Grubbs said the district has always allowed an unlimited number of spots.
• Received an update on summer school plans with the district working with Phillips to again have two, two-week sessions of swimming next summer. Guidance counselor Michelle Rhodes said they are also moving up the registration for summer school to have it completed the end of April.
• Received an update on the registration for classes for next year as well as the student risk assessment survey which will be taken by students in the month of March. Data from this survey is used in applying for grants at the county level which help support things like the Taylor County Drug Opposition Partners. Rhodes also reported that letters have gone out in the community seeking scholarships. She noted there are more than 40 local scholarships that are offered to Rib Lake students.
• Received an update on the spring election with Rollie Thums running for reelection for the at-large seat and Amanda Treffinger running for reelection for the town of Greenwood seat. There were no other candidates who filed.
• Received word that the school dog Eddie had passed his good citizen test over the Christmas break.
• Discussed the impact of the Act 20 requirement regarding reading standards. Dallman noted that at the week of the meeting, the school was doing the early literacy testing to determine reading proficiency, but that they have been experiencing glitches with the new online testing software. “We do have some hiccups at the state,” he said, noting that he hoped to be able to complete it by Friday. He said if students who score 24% or lower will have reading plans developed for them.
