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By J.G. WALLACE
After fruitless discussions with the contractor responsible for a faulty window installation project at the elementary school the Bluffton-Harrison M.S.D. will likely be pursuing legal action to remedy the situation.
Originally targeted for completion prior to the start of the current school year, the project ran overtime and has been plagued by contractor woes and faulty installation, resulting in gaps and leaks.
Dana J. Wannemacher, an architect with Fort Wayne based Barton-Coe-Vilamaa, the engineering firm overseeing the project discussed the situation with the school board during Monday’s meeting.
“We’ve been back and forth in discussions with the contractor (Tecton),” Wannemacher said.
“We agree on some things and disagree on others,” Wannemacher said. “I think its time you consider moving on to the next step.”
Wannemacher said he feels the current situation is at an impasse on several key issues.
The project’s start date was significantly delayed because custom ordered bricks were not actually delivered in time for work to begin on the target date.
Delays in obtaining the brick and improper installation of the windows led to significant gaps and leaks, and the district had to effect makeshift repairs to seal the classrooms for the start of the school year.
Supt. Julie Koschnick said, “We have given them plenty of time to correct the problems at the elementary school and that has not been done.” Koschnick said the problems involve both Tecton and their subcontractors.
“It may be time hold an executive session to consider possible litigation to get the issues resolved,” Koschnick advised.
Wannemacher agreed, saying, “We don’t see any other way to move this process forward at this time and I don’t take that decision lightly.”
For now the windows have been sealed with caulk but four window pairs need to be removed and reinstalled properly. Wannemacher said the interior is dry and the interior work is protected from exposure.
Board member Gene Gerber noted, “the band-aid is on at this time.”
Koschnick recommended holding an executive session regarding litigation in the matter be held prior to the next scheduled board meeting.
That meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. due to the normal meeting night conflicting with the ISBA/IAPSS fall conferences in Indianapolis.
In other business the board approved the 2006-2007 budget by a 4-0 vote. Board president Andrew Carnall was absent.
The budget was based on an assessed value of $271 million, which was reduced from $300 as drafted by the D.L.G.F. That decision came largely because the D.L.G.F. is not sure how changes to the Homestead Exemption will impact the assessed value.
The final budget figures are subject to change after the school district meets with the state tax board in October.
The budget as approved calls for a General Fund Budget of $9,896,901, an increase of $581,962 from last year’s advertised budget an increase of about 6 percent.
The amount to be raised by taxation is $2,751,150, up $45,619 from last year’s projected totals.
The advertised budget also calls for a debt service fund of $1,804,232, up from last year’s $1,781,020 total, a slight decline in the capital projects fund of $1,409,571, down from last year’s $1,44,466, and a transportation fund of 618,068, down from last years $640,000.
Koschnick advised the board that as transportation costs have risen significantly over the past few years the district has had to make additional appropriations to cover extracurricular activities.
Koschnick projected that if the trend continues unchecked that this year the transportation fund will end with a balance of around $5,000. Last year to cover expenses the district had to transfer in $18,565 in June.
Koschnick proposed a gradual shifting of activity costs to the band, choir, and athletics. Koschnick has held discussions with the principals about trimming or consolidating field trip expenses.
Koschnick recommended that for this year the band would be asked to pay $750 toward travel expenses, with the choir paying $700, and the athletics department paying $5,000.
Board member Stephen Huffman noted that the board was aware that the situation was developing and didn’t take action for the past three years.
If the fees are not imposed Koschnick said it is likely that the board would have to take money from the general fund and hold an appropriation hearing.
High School principal Steve Baker offered his views to the board. “It’s not an easy solution, I’ll be very honest with you.”
Baker said the school has no excess money. “The board needs to know that this may get passed on to the students.” Baker said he is also concerned over additional increases in the future.
“We don’t have a tremendous budget, the boosters already supplies a lot of things the athletics department needs,” Baker said.
Baker asked what could be done, such as increased ticket prices to offset the costs. Baker predicted that if the fees are imposed the costs will likely be passed on to the community, the students, or their parents.
“One way or another it’s going to be passed somewhere,” Baker said. “I’m concerned about the burden this will place on the students.”
Huffman said the board will have to address the issue, “in some way, shape or form.”
Gerber said, “It’s not something that is going to reverse itself. We’re not looking at a temp situation.”
Board member Kent Shady said for this year he would prefer to cover the increased costs out of the general fund, rather than impose a fee.
Shady said he was concerned that increased ticket prices will reduce attendance, and noted that the added travel expenses was a key reason he was opposed to Garrett joining the conference.
Huffman said he viewed the situation as an opportunity to seek innovative solutions. “We can look at it as a problem and gripe and complain or look for solutions,” Huffman said.
Baker noted that he was appreciative of how Dr. Koschnick has handled the situation and discussed options with the administrators.
“I appreciate the way this was handled by Dr. Koschnick. I had concerns with it and she listened to those concerns.”
Board member Darryl Elliot asked that the matter be tabled until Carnall was back so that all opinions could be considered. The board voted 4-0 to table the discussion.
In other business, the board approved naming Brad Yates as a boys basketball coach by a 4-0 vote, based on the recommendation of athletic director Steve Thompson.
The board also approved a two percent raise for non-certified school staff, which is effective retroactive from the 2005 school year.
The board listened to a presentation regarding the middle school P.T.O. given by Stephanie Hiday, president of the middle school P.T.O.
Hiday said the organization is off to a great start this year. They have been holding meet the staff sessions.
“We have a budget of about $12,000 that we use, “Hiday said. Hiday explained that money raised from book fairs and other fund raisers is used to support field trips, swim parties, bowling parties, and other events.
The organization also funds $200 annually for the school nurse to purchase supplies, and gives each teacher $100 toward classroom supplies.
The board was also updated by Jon Bennett, middle school principal, about the ISTEP testing schedule for this year.
Bennett noted that ISTEP testing begins in about a week. The state has a mandated testing window for grades 3-9 that runs from Sept. 18 through Sept. 29. A more rigid window is applied to the tenth grade, which must be tested on from the 19th through the 21st.
“Testing security is very tight on those days,” Bennett said. “The state has increased security measures” Bennett outlined how the school secures testing materials and noted that staff only receive access to the test materials one day before testing.
“I feel very good about the procedures we have in place for testing security,” Bennett said. If materials were compromised the school’s accreditation could be at risk, Bennett noted.
ISTEP results are expected to be returned around Thanksgiving, Bennett noted.
“Our goal is to always be above the state average and to increase the percentage of students passing every year,” Bennett said.
jgwallace@news-banner.com
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