News
School District holds second forum
Scott Wagar
07/22/2014
The Bottineau School District held its second public forum which primarily focused on Central School and how it doesn’t meet code to properly educate students in the structure.
Jason Kersten, superintendent of the Bottineau School District, was the keynote speaker in the forum and started the meeting by stating four main reasons why the district needs a new school for the Central School students, which included:
1. Safety
● Fire escapes do not meet current codes
● Hallways are dead – two emergency exits required per hallway (there is only one fire escape route on the first and second floors)
● Cafeteria is a fire trap
● Cafeteria is not handicapped accessible
2. Change in educational methods
● Differentiated instruction
● Classroom layout versus current size
● Special needs requirements
3. Technology
● Additional infrastructure
● Space requirements
● Wiring leads to asbestos removal requirements
● Heating and cooling requirements
4. Number of classrooms required
● Full day kindergarten versus half/alternating days
● Grade census increasing in elementary
● Modular classrooms required for music, computer lab and library
● Temporary classroom on old stage
When it came to fire safety, Kersten explained that the first and second floor only has one fire escape route on each floor instead of two. He added that the second floor fire escape doesn’t meet code and that main staircase in the building cannot count as a fire escape.
Kersten then focused on the cafeteria when he stated the room didn’t have any adequate fire escape routes with only one small door in the rear of the room and one main staircase. He also pointed out that the two exists were not handicapped accessible and does not handle the student population.
From the cafeteria, Kersten spoke on the bathrooms in Central and pointed out that the bathrooms do not meet current ADA laws because the stalls and sinks are not wheelchair accessible and the doors are too narrow.
Kersten also spent time on the changes in educational methods over the past six decades. He said that in the past, classrooms were basically filled with desks in a row; however, today’s classrooms require instructional, computer, teacher and reading areas, along with listening centers.
“Central’s staff is trying to utilize space and adaptive methods the best as possible,” Kersten said.
He also gave eight reasons why the school district needs better and new classrooms availability, which included:
● The number of classrooms required has increased
● PK moved to Alternative High School location
● Alternative High School moved to Vo-Tech classroom
● Vo-Tech lost classroom space
● Speech (classes) meets on the stage
● Computer lab, library and music meet in modular classrooms at Central School
● Some learning time must meet in the hallway
Kersten then spoke on the district’s new plan, which calls for adding additions and making renovations to the school in the northeast section of the city, placing PK through 12 in one location and under one roof. The plans call for:
● Add four rooms to the original south expansion plan for the elementary section of the school
● Add two rooms on the West Wing of the current Middle School
● All current Middle School, Junior High and High School classrooms will be renovated with the exception of the music rooms, art room, Middle School gym and locker rooms
● Renovations will include upgrading electrical, windows and ADA requirements, along with science labs being gutted and remodeled to address current classroom needs
● Add a Vo-Ag addition to the west allowing Vo-Ag to meet space and program requirements
● Two new secure entrances on the north and south sides of the schools
● New additions include air conditioning
● Allows for future expansion
Kersten added that traffic flow, bus stop and parking are currently being addressed.
The estimated cost of the plan proposal is $16,106,586, while the taxpayers would be responsible for $12,960,000 over a 20 year period. The breakdown of the cost is as follows:
● The school district would pay $1,146,586 through oil and gas gross production tax revenue.
● The taxpayers would be bonded for $12,960,000.
● The school has received a $10 million loan from the DPI with an interest rate at 1.41 percent.
The school district would be responsible for $2 million of the loan which would be paid back through oil and gas production, while the remaining $8 million would be bounded to tax payers with an additional bond of $4,960,000 at 2.95 percent interest, which would total the taxpayers share at the $12,960,000.
When it comes to the taxpayers’ responsibility, residential owners who have property valued at $100,000, their yearly cost would be $126 for the 20-year pay period, or a cost of $10.51 per month.
Agricultural land with a value of $100,000, landowners would payout $140 a year or $11.68 per month.
Kersten stated that if this vote on the bond issues fails in August, they will not be able to move forward for one-year before they can have another vote. He also said that during that time the district would consider adding money into renovating Central School or looking at another plan.
During the meeting, the public forum consisted of around 41 individuals. Outside of the public meeting, the district also gave tours of Central School so local individuals could see the condition of the school building.
The vote will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 12. In order for the referendum to pass the district must receive 60 percent of the yes vote.
“I thought the meeting went well. I would have liked to have seen more in attendance, but realize it is a busy time for everyone,” Kersten said. “I thought there was good discussion and questions asked.”