February 20, 2015 at 4:00 PM - Superintendent's Weekly Update to the Board of Education

Description: 
A board member asked how to record their time for multiple meetings on the same day.  We went to the Capitol during the day and a special board meeting in the evening.

There is no clear language in the board minutes from past organizational meetings.  The best we can interpret is a maximum pay of $85 for a day.  We'll go with the $85/day unless the board interprets or wants it otherwise.  This decision really is not my call.

Description: 
This week I received a good question from a board member about energy rebates during the project.  I visited with Mary about her thoughts on lights, etc.  She said normally we receive energy rebates on inefficient lights we replace.  

We will, of course, receive various rebates during the purchasing of products in the project.  I'll ask the architect and Robbie at Winkelman to go after these opportunities and pass along paperwork we need to do.

Description: 
On Wednesday evening I presented to the City of Royalton Planning and Zoning Committee our plan to expand the south side of the elementary school.  In the attached file you'll see the three reasons for the new addition.

The only expressed concern by the committee members is how we plan to shed the water.  This sounds like it'll be a simple problem easily solved, but remember what a hassle it was with the elementary parking lot.  Hopefully, the hired city engineer is more workable this go around.

Description: 
It has been a very busy few weeks working on the design for all areas of the building project.  We visited schools in southeastern Minnesota to look at science classrooms and labs.  I visited Onamia by myself to look at several good ideas they used in their recent building project.  Joel and his office staff went to Wadena to look at the principal office area and lunch room.

Bob Rego is Paul's partner at ARY.  He came out to visit with us yesterday about remodeling the school lunch rooms.  He has taken the cooks ideas and will be coming back with drawings and recommendations.

In the pictures....

Pics 1 and 2 are samples of a green house in Byron that we may consider doing too.  Our original thoughts were to have it connected to the building by the ag and life science classrooms.  Now we're thinking a structure that captures all natural light may be even better.

Pics 3, 4, and 5 are samples of a serving area that we want to replicate for our high school students.  Bob Rego is drawing up ideas for us.

Pics 6 and 7 are samples of collaboration stations for groups of six students to use.  We are considering this in some areas of the project when we purchase the furniture and technology.

Pics 8, 9, and 10 are samples of a glass door system that can completely collapse to open the entire room up.  Other options are opening up one, two or more walkways.  It is really versatile.  The thinking is this can be installed at the elementary lunchroom to open up the area while at the same time being able to close it up and make it sound proof to the hallway.

Pics 11 and 12 is a sample place where students can congregate during the day to visit and work.  On the north side of the high school building we'll have a similar place for students in grades 9-12.  The differences are it will not be nearly as large with two-story high ceilings.  It will also have lots of furniture designed more for work areas.  Students in college classes will love this area.

Pics 13, 14, and 15 are samples of french doors that could be installed on the preschool and kindergarten classrooms.  We'll have to see the amount of green space available to us.  It'd be nice for our teachers to take students outside into a fenced in outdoor classroom with green grass and trees. 

Description: 
Please see attached  the weekly bills for your approval.