NLSB fleshes out more details regarding work projects

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? It?s all about the details. That was theme of Monday night?s New London School Board meeting in discussing the school?s major work projects.

From looking at project concepts for the new athletic track and field improvements, to discussing unforeseen aspects to fixing waste service/water and drainage in both the locker rooms and high school concession stands, the board feels the best way to move forward is to hold another open meeting for the public to ask questions and get a detailed briefing of all the aspects to the work projects from the school board and the architects in charge.

?There are always going to be things that pop up and things we don?t know until we start laying things out and looking into the finer details,? said Bob Ormsby, lead architect involved with all of New London?s work projects.

Perhaps the biggest topic of discussion surrounded the re-roofing of part of Clark Elementary School and the materials involved in the reconstruction of the roof.

?I think the plan originally was to use metal (to reroof), but after looking at it further and the amount of penetrations we would need to make in the roof, I am wavering on that idea,? said Ormsby. ?A lot of people think that metal roofs, because they are a little more expensive, are better. They are durable, yes, but it?s harder to seal penetrations well on a metal roof.?

Rather than re-roof using metal, Ormsby suggests looking at a membrane roof. According to him, membrane roofs have a longer warranty and are easier to seal around penetrations, lessening the chance of leaking issues later on. Membrane roofs are also cheaper than metal roofs.

?I think in the long run, a membrane roof will be a better option for you guys,? he said. ?They don?t work for everyone, but I think for what you guys need, it would be a good option.?

Besides the roof, the board also looked into additional work that may need to happen in the high school locker rooms, with Ormsby and new superintendent Chad Wahls saying the issues with the locker room pipes may be more serious than originally thought.

?I did some testing on my own and I do think there are some issues that we need to address,? said Wahls. ?Locker rooms are used a lot by our kids and visiting teams...So, I think if we take this opportunity to maybe spend some more money on this, perhaps with the money we save on roofing, we can do this the right way now.?

These issues, as well as a full report of all that is being done with regards to the work projects, will be presented to the public at an open meeting. Once that meeting is scheduled, the school will send out an official meeting notice.

Moving on from talks of work projects, the board turned their attention to choosing legislative action priorities, as well as getting to know their new superintendent. First off, the board approved a total of four priorities that they would like advocated for at the state legislature. Those priorities included school funding policies, setting supplemental state aid at a date and rate that adequately supports local districts, bond issues, and preserving the state penny sales tax.

In addition to those priorities, Wahls also laid out some of his priorities for the school board, most of which concentrated on growing the board closer.

?This is an exciting time to be a superintendent and I am one of many new superintendents in Iowa this year,? said Wahls. ?I think moving forward, it would be a good idea for us to look into attending some ISBA (Iowa School Board Association) workshops and doing some continuing education as a board.?

The board agreed and asked that board secretary Jessica Boyer look into setting up some workshops for them to attend as a board in the future. In addition, Wahls reiterated to the board that he would like to be evaluated on a regular basis to keep up-to-date with what the board needs and what they would like to see from him as the year progresses.

In other news, the board:

? Approved the appointment of Karen Stewart, assistant high school volleyball coach.

? Approved the 2016-2017 student and faculty handbooks.

? Approved the continuation of a librarian sharing agreement with AEA for the 2016-2017 school year. According to Wahls, the AEA will likely not be offering such an agreement for the next school year, so New London will eventually have to address finding another option for librarian services.

? Approved to continue a 28E food service agreement with Burlington.

? Approved moving a van currently used as a special needs vehicle to the district?s regular fleet before it can be used as a regular fleet vehicle, as required by Iowa law.

? Approved having rust professionally removed from one of the district?s Suburban?s.

The next regular board meeting of the New London School Board will be held on Monday, Aug 15, 2016, at 7 p.m.