The facilities task force started last year continues to meet and to help shape the next phase of renovations within the Eden Valley-Watkins school district. Beginning with a broad list of all possible improvements for school facilities, the list has begun to narrow now that cost figures are emerging.
As of their Feb. 8 school board meeting, the priorities agreed on so far by all are listed below. (This list is by no means final yet. Nor has the total dollar amount of the possible referendum been determined; so far, only preliminary cost estimates have been calculated.)
?Ä¢ Secure entrances on both elementary buildings
?Ä¢ 1927 building renovations
?Ä¢ moving the football field and track
Superintendent Mark Messman has requested a new tax impact statement with a scenario of paying off the new bond more quickly.
The task force and school board will continue to work together until a precise proposal for referendum vote is calculated and agreed upon.
Technology update
Denise DeJuliannie presented the board with an update on technology within the district.
Internet access points have been added throughout the district; there are now nearly one per classroom. This provides better coverage, in preparation for needs five years from now. A new firewall has been installed, and new switches and other infrastructure. They can now control internet access as well, turning down some access points to better power others (for instance, when it?Äôs more needed in the gym).
The kitchen computers are now wireless. Windows 10 is on computers in the lab. iMacs are now better managed through Apple Profile Manager.
They are looking to add more iPads. The ChromeBooks are working very well; they work well for state testing. (ChromeBooks are less costly and easier to share; they should last a good five years or more.) EV-W is a Google campus, using Google to manage documents. If DeJuliannie had her preference, the ideal would be to give each student a $1,400 MacBook; but she knows we can?Äôt do this. She is looking to the needs in the district five years out.
She pointed out that they?Äôve come this far with technology upgrades and proliferation with no technology levy in place. So far, funds have come from the capital budget and general fund. ?ÄúTechnology?Äôs not cheap,?Äù she added.
They will do a survey in the spring to see what devices students are bringing to school, so they can better plan tech services for them.
The hire of a tech coordinator fell through, so they are again looking for someone to manage the district?Äôs technology.
Curriculum adjustments
EV-W is realigning some
college-level courses in the curriculum, particularly in ag.
With the new curriculum, EV-W will have 60 college options next year.
There are other changes to the high school curriculum, in principal Bruce Kiehn, ?Äúbringing our classes up to the 21st century.?Äù
A Youth Experience class has been added, focusing on youth leadership and service. EV-W students are required to earn 1 semester of Leadership. They can meet this requirement through Girl or Boy Scouts, peer leadership opportunities, or community service, i.e., giving back to the community.
Other business
The board discussed establishing a policy for naming rights within the district. The Johnson-Peterson gym was so designated without an established policy in place, and they want to be prepared for when another such opportunity arises.
The final budget will be approved at the Feb. 22 meeting. There is $28,000 less in revenue (special ed.) and increased salaries. They are also preparing for four possible retirements (and severance packages).
Gov. Dayton has proposed a 2-percent increase for 2018 and 2019 in the per-pupil funding formula. MSBA and others are advocating for 3 percent.
Last week, Susan Knutson, Bruce Kiehn, and Mark Messman visited with Minn. Sen. Michelle Fischbach in St. Paul. She is president of the Education Finance Committee. They discussed the master?Äôs criteria for those who teach college-level courses. Many current teachers would need 18 more credits before deadline, but there is no advantage to experienced teachers to spend $10,000 or more for another degree. Of the 10 teachers at EV-W teaching College in the Classroom, three have the required masters degree. Those on waiver are valid until Sept. 2022. Kiehn has invited Fischbach to visit a CIS class at EV-W.
The next meeting of the EV-W school board is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22.