West Central Reporter

Jacksonville School District No. 117 Board of Education Committee of the Whole met July 20 to discuss paving the teachers' parking lot.

Jacksonville School District 117 Board of Education Committee of the Whole July 20, 2016

Here is the meeting's agenda, as provided by the district:

The Board of Education of Jacksonville School District 117 met in Committee of the Whole Session on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, beginning at 6:00 PM at the Jacksonville High School. Members present at roll call were Mrs. Ballard, Mr. Beard, Mr. Cantrell, Mr. Lonergan, Mrs. Maul, Ms. Wagner, and Mrs. White. Also in attendance were Superintendent, Steve Ptacek, Assistant Superintendent, Dana Kinley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Sarah Raynor and Chief Financial Officer, Jamie Hadjan.

REPORTS – Bob Roads reported on the progress of the two construction projects:

• Lincoln Elementary School – Bob reported that CTS has 55% of the total dollar amount for the project. The circular front drive is a good decision. Sidewalks are done. The panels from the original front entrance have been reinstalled in the new media center and it looks great. Ceramic wall tiles are being installed in the restrooms and floor tiles are going down in the hallways. The ceiling grids are installed and exterior doors are in place. Some drywall is being installed. New windows should be in on July 25. The contractor is confident that the project will be completed by August 10. Bob is hoping that he can arrange for partial acceptance on a room- by-room basis so Promethean Boards can be installed as soon as the rooms are ready. Trees will be replaced later in the fall and will be of the same size as the ones that were removed. The marquis may not be in place by August 22. There are many local contractors who are benefitting from this project and they are doing a good job.

• Mr. Ptacek said he decided to hold off on paving the teacher parking lot as there are still too many unknowns. He also reported to the Board that the door lentils (headers) to the outside gym doors were rusted out. When the contractor removed them, they came out in pieces. He said this is a big problem that we would not have seen until the wall began cracking. One of the lentils was already bowing. Mr. Ptacek said he wants to make sure the public is aware that all of our buildings are old and are sure to have similar issues that are unseen. Repairing these types of problems as they occur is very costly. He said this renovation is not just for curb appeal. Our buildings are falling apart and we are living on borrowed time. He said we have to be honest about the damages we are finding. All of our buildings are old and will have the same types of issues as we are finding at Lincoln.

• Jacksonville Middle School – The foundation for the gym walls is in place. The tilt-up wall panels will arrive on August 1. They will take two days to erect. The trusses for the gym will arrive on August 2. Mr. Roads said the doors in the northeast corner that students will use to travel to and from the mobile classrooms may be covered with plywood when school starts, but they will not pose any safety or operational hazards for students. Mr. Ptacek suggested we hire a security guard to be stationed at the doors to monitor students during passing periods. The temporary administrative offices will be in that same northeast corner of the building. Bus drop-off has not yet been worked out. Staff and visitors will park in the north parking lot and parents will drop off and pick up off of Lincoln Avenue until further notice. The foundation has been poured for the 6th grade wing. Electrical is being installed and the new mechanical room is being set up. There are no door frames and the drywall cannot be completed until the door frames are installed. Bob has made it clear to the contractors that the northeast corner of the building must be set up for administration and conference rooms by August 22. He said there will be a place for every student on the first day. The bi-weekly meetings with contractors have been changed to weekly meetings. Temporary classrooms are ready for the power. Mr. Ptacek said he would call Ameren to explain the urgency in getting the power set in the classrooms. Ms. Wagner asked whether there is a plan to get the students excited about the renovations. Ms. Raynor explained that teachers will prepare students during the first few days of school when they spend time in orientation and expectations.

ADJOURNMENT – Ms. Wagner moved, seconded by Mr. Cantrell to adjourn the meeting at 6:52pm. Roll: Wagner, Cantrell, Lonergan, Maul, White, Ballard and Beard. Nay; None.

____________________________________ ___________________________________ President Secretary