Fifth-graders to move to middle school
District 518 board approves addition plansWORTHINGTON — Fifth-graders in District 518 will most likely attend the middle school next year.
By: Laura Grevas, Worthington Daily Globe
- District 518
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WORTHINGTON — Fifth-graders in District 518 will most likely attend the middle school next year.
In a 5-2 decision on Tuesday, the District 518 Board of Education voted to develop plans for an addition to the school that would accommodate the extra grade level.
The cost of the new addition has been estimated at about $2.4 million, though that could vary greatly depending on which addition components the board decides to pursue. The current proposal allows the addition of six to eight classrooms and other multipurpose rooms, and the relocation of administrative office space nearer the front of the building.
The addition would likely be paid for by stimulus money and alternative facility bonding through the district’s lease levy, which does not need to be approved by voters.
Construction bids on the project should be received by early next year, with completion slated for next summer. If bids received are too costly, the board can still opt not to build the addition.
The board’s decision came after an hour-long discussion in which members presented the pros and cons of each option for dealing with increased district enrollment — temporary rental of portable classrooms outside of Prairie Elementary ($750,000 initial cost), an addition to Prairie Elementary (estimated at $4.2 million) or the middle school, or doing nothing, what board member Mark Shepherd called the “wait-and-see option.”
Voting against the measure were board members Brad Shaffer and Shepherd.
“We should wait and see the current enrollment trend and not spend millions of dollars until we’re sure it’s necessary to do so,” Shepherd said, adding that his second choice would be a middle school addition.
Superintendent John Landgaard reported that the district has 2,428 students, including more than 1,100 at Prairie, according to the latest numbers. He also spoke with Windom Area Schools Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt to see how that district has fared this year after its board voted to move fourth-graders to the 5-12 building.
“He said really how they’ve managed that is all through programming,” Landgaard reported, including different lunch schedules and “supervision to ensure appropriate interaction” between students of all ages.
Several board members said they favored the “wait-and-see” option if the addition weren’t a possibility, but agreed that building now to take advantage of low interest rates and construction costs was also appealing.
“I think the middle school option actually prepares us better for the future. … I actually see us in the not-so-distant future building another school,” board member Steve Schnieder said. “I’d rather be more proactive, giving ourselves more space. Let’s take that next step with the idea that we’re going to take a bigger step as our community continues to grow.”
“I have a relative who teaches at a 5-8 school in a large district, and she has nothing but good things to say,” reported chairman Joel Lorenz. “I understand the concerns of parents, but the fear factor I think will go away quickly (with proper school management). I’m very concerned about taxes, but my gut tells me to go with the middle school or to wait and see.”
In other business, the school board Tuesday:
l Approved the dissolution of cooperative sponsorship for boys’ hockey with Worthington High School, Fulda High School and Round Lake High School, and approved a cooperative sponsorship for boys’ hockey with Worthington High School, Round Lake High School, Sibley-Ocheyedan High School and Spirit Lake High School.
l Approved the 2008-2009 Annual Report on Curriculum, Instruction and Student Achievement.
l Certified the maximum proposed 2009 levy payable in 2010 in the amount of about $3.9 million, a .44 percent increase from last year’s levy.
l Approved the hiring of a consultant to assist in the development of a strategic plan, district report card on student learning and building improvement plans; and a social worker position.
l Approved the Issuance of a Lease Purchase Financing and Certificates of Participation Resolution, which approves financing for performance contracting work within the district.
l Approved a General Fund transfer of $663,000 from the undesignated fund balance to a fund designated for severance pay to retirees.
l Approved the resignation of Travis Bullerman as kindergarten teacher at Prairie Elementary and of Molly Schultz as girls’ volleyball coach at the Worthington Middle School.
l Approved the employment of: Kerry Johnson as choir instructor at the Worthington High School; Monique Lakeyta Potter as graduation coach at the Nobles County Integration Collaborative; Erin Lawrence as 21st CCLC grant coordinator with Community Education; Elizabeth Dahlheimer as girls volleyball coach at WMS; Tasha Raymo as head dance coach at WHS; Megan Erickson as first grade teacher at Prairie; Mary Reemts as copy paraprofessional at WHS; Zachary Dingmann as student council co-advisor at Prairie; Pamela Scheepstra as middle-level program paraprofessional at WMS; Beth Mahoney as English Language Learner paraprofessional at WMS; Josh Wasmund as paraprofessional at WHS; an overload for Melissa Schutz of a .08 full-time equivalent; Alexy Nunez as dishwasher at Prairie; Sandy Randall as youth activities leader for Even Start, Naw Play Say as parent liaison with Community Education; and an overload for Barb Regnier of a .08 full-time equivalency.
Tags: news, worthington, district518
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