Steeleville BOE approves science lab renovation
Baysinger Architects is planning to "touch every surface" in the Steeleville High School science lab renovation.
The $380,000 project, which includes improvements to natural gas, water and HVAC systems, was approved by the Steeleville District 138 Board of Education during its regular meeting on Monday.
Plans also include the demolition of a wall between the two science rooms to create an expanded space and relocation of the natural gas safety valve, which Assistant Superintendent and SHS Principal Jennifer Haertling said is currently difficult to access.
The current radiators will also be removed and replaced by a rooftop unit.
"It really will be a state-of-the-art lab," said Ryan Dodd, project manager for Baysinger Architects who attended the meeting.
In a separate agenda item, the board approved a 25 percent down payment of $19,000 to go toward the $76,000 cost of cabinetry for the project.
"To keep this project on line for summer construction, we need to get in line at Sheldon because all their construction is during the summer as well," Dodd said.
Sheldon Laboratory Systems has prepared initial plans for the project and District Superintendent Stephanie Mulholland said she expected to meet with representatives from the company on Tuesday.
When completed, the science lab is expected to accommodate between 28 and 35 students at one time, with sinks at each pod station, a safety shower system, new flooring and lighting.
The cost of asbestos removal in the flooring, which will be the first phase of the project, is included in the total cost.
"We're basically touching every surface," Dodd said.
Dodd noted that plans also include reusing the existing smart board, while adding a sliding white board, and installing a new entrance door that's seen heavy use and was stated to be in rough shape.
The bid date for the project is March 17, with an estimated completion date by the start of classes for the 2016-17 school year.
The discussion moved to windows, which could also be replaced as part of the science lab project. Mulholland said preliminary window replacement costs were $326,000 for the high school and $256,000 for the grade school.
"That's something we can still decide in the next couple of months," she said.
Other than the science lab, the topic that generated the most discussion during Monday's meeting was a proposal to add Horticulture, Ceramics and Sculpture and Photography and Graphic Design to the list of classes offered for the 2016-17 school year.
In order to make room for the new classes, Agriculture Mechanics and Technology and Agriculture Construction will go from a full year to one semester each.
Haertling said plans are to have a greenhouse to eventually go with the Horticulture class. Board member Margo Block shared concerns about the loss of hands-on instruction by moving the two agriculture classes to a semester each.
"There's nothing that she's not covering," Haertling said, referring to agriculture education teacher Sarah McKinnies. "The class just isn't as long. If we want to have a greenhouse, we have to have Horticulture."
Block asked about bringing in a part-time teacher to teach more hands-on material.
"We're still doing the same skills, just not as long," Haertling said.
Board member Rick Smith expressed his support for the new classes.
"I like it because you're doing so much more stuff that the kids are interested in," he said.
The classes were unanimously approved by the board, which also approved Supervised Agriculture Education for next school year.
Roundup
The board approved the boys basketball state tournament trip and use of activity bus.
The board set the Steeleville High School graduation date at May 22 at 3 p.m.
The board set the date for Steeleville Elementary School's eighth grade promotion at May 20 at 7 p.m.
The board accepted the resignation of teacher aide Heather Groennert and approved the employment of new aide Phoebe Smith.
Asst. Superintendent
In her report, Haertling noted that SHS had seven students apply for the Randolph County CEO and they would find out this week if they were accepted.
Haertling said COMPASS test results were in and 20 of 30 juniors had qualified for dual-credit courses at Southwestern Illinois College. Eight were advised to retest as they were close to qualifying.
Eleven of 14 sophomores have also qualified.
Superintendent
Mulholland spoke on problems with the school's 20-year-old phone system, which she believes was struck by lightning at one point.
She noted that she had a meeting on Wednesday with representatives from CTS Technology Solutions to discuss the problem.
"We'll either have to look at a new system or pretty significant repairs," Mulholland said.