New construction related to Houston Schools’ $4 million bond issue is just days away.
Superintendent Scott Dill updated board members at Thursday’s meeting on progress at the district. That same morning, one of the most significant changes occurred as the former middle and high school library was demolished.
Two Houston High School graduates –– Jared Smith and his father, Rupert –– were behind the equipment as the brick structure was knocked to the ground. The demolition of the facility clears the way for a new building that will connect the current middle and high schools. Dill said dirt work for that portion of the project should begin within two weeks.
The demolition project, which was bid to Jared Smith Hauling and Excavation of Solo for $20,100, is part of improvements approved in an April 2013 bond issue. Also included in the project are expanding the cafeteria and building a new library.
“It’s going to be pretty busy around here this summer,” Dill said.
Dill said new construction is a few weeks behind schedule. But roof work, which was included in the bond issue, is ahead of schedule. The elementary, middle school and high school buildings have been completed. Work recently began on the final roof at the vocational building.
Unrelated to the bond project, Dill also told board members that members of the HHS building trades class are working on the roof at the Big Red Building.
Also at the meeting, board members:
-Approved an increase of $10,000 in the speech/language pathology salary schedule. The move, Dill said, is to make education positions more attractive for SLPs, who often choose the medical field.
The Exceptional Child Cooperative board previously approved the salary increase.
“We’re seeing an increase in the number of speech problems, especially in early childhood students,” Dill said. “We’ve been recruiting nationwide for two years and had a very difficult time.”
The board also approved hiring another SLP position at the cooperative.
-Created a full-time substitute position in the district for the 2014-’15 school year. The position will be a certified teacher who receives a salary and benefits as a full-time employee.
“They will be around everyday and will be the first resource we use for substitutes,” Dill said. “By having a fully certified teacher who is on staff and fully invested in professional development and the initiatives within the buildings, we feel this person will be able to better carry on work in the classrooms.”
The district began accepting applications for the position Friday morning.
-Received an update from Caleb Arthur of Missouri Sun Solar. Arthur, who was granted permission in January to conduct a feasibility study for the campus, reported the district falls just under the usage capacity to attract major vendors. Arthur may analyze the district again following the completion of new construction.
-Approved a bid from Harley Coulter for summer mowing services of the main campus and building trades house. The district’s maintenance crew will continue to mow the athletic fields.
“The reason we bid those out this year, because of everything going on down here, I have many projects planned for our maintenance crew,” Dill said. “I wanted to maximize the amount of time available to them to work in classrooms and other projects.”
-Reviewed a preliminary budget for fiscal year 2015.
-Heard reviews from the food services, extra-curricular and co-curricular departments.
-Were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Beth Williamson and the Houston Middle School choir.
Minutes from the closed session of the meeting will be released Monday. The next monthly board meeting is 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the Exceptional Child Cooperative.