Spring is considered the time to tackle home improvement projects. For the Hillsboro School District, it’s time to take on a series of buildings and grounds projects.
The Hillsboro School Board April 11 approved bids for various projects during its regular monthly meeting.
Marell, Inc. of Hillsboro was awarded a bid to replace a water line running from the high school building to the baseball field. The line has deteriorated to the point that a new line must be installed.
Yard Effects was awarded a bid to modify the playground in regard to the location of swings and the depth of stone for safety reasons.
Premier Bleachers was awarded a bid to install aisle rails and wheelchair locations, as well as perform maintenance work, in the high school gymnasium.
The cost of those projects will be paid from the district’s 2015-16 maintenance budget.
Two additional Board-approved projects will be paid with fund balance.
S & S Concrete Construction of Hillsboro was awarded a bid to install sidewalk from the middle/high school building to the front of the elementary school building to allow students a safe walking area.
D.L. Gasser Construction of Baraboo was awarded a bid to replace asphalt in front of both the elementary and the middle/high school buildings, as well as the parking lot/playground on the elementary school’s south side.
Two additional projects are pending.
The Board delayed action on removal of bleachers from the high school football field/track pending both insurance documentation and cost proposals.
In addition, the bood took no action on the installation and replacement of exterior cameras pending the gathering of bids.
Personnel matters
The Board also dealt with a series of personnel matters.
It accepted the resignations of third grade teacher Jon Paul Da Prato as junior high football coach and Jessica Weiler as a first grade teacher.
Vanessa Mislivecek was hired as a kindergarten teacher. She currently teaches kindergarten in the Wonewoc-Center district.
Karsen Greenwood was hired as a second grade teacher.
The Board listened to information on a possible modification to employee leave options that would transition from the current, traditional sick, personal and bereavement leave to paid time off. It took no action and will revisit the matter at its May 9 meeting.
It also voted to confirm June 3 as teachers’ last contracted day for the current school year.
Other business
In other business, the board heard a presentation from a representative of NEOLA, a policy management service that it has considered using in recent years. The Board again decided to reconsider the matter May 9.
Also on May 9, the Board will make a final decision on CESA 4 services for the 2016-17 school year. The proposal is to maintain the current level of services.
The Board approved a contract with Gundersen St. Joseph’s Hospital and Clinics for occupational/physical therapy services.
Also approved were the traditional summer school courses, as well as a new hunter safety course.
Art teacher Julie Johnson received Board approval to paint a mural in the high school hallway near the agriculture/tech ed classrooms.
Food Service Director Carolyn Kannenberg shared issues regarding the availability of entree options for elementary school students who eat near the end of serving.
According to Kannenberg, younger students do not always take what they requested in the morning, which leads to shortages of one of the entrees for older students.
While serving only one entree was considered, Kannenberg will first work with classroom teachers to ensure that students take the entree they ordered.
