W-MU tacks classrooms, new boiler system to list of building projects

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD ? It was a lengthy discussion Tuesday night that landed new classrooms for preschool and kindergarten classes and a new boiler system at the top of an improvements list for the Winfield-Mt. Union Community School District.

?We had a pretty good conversation,? W-MU Superintendent Jeff Maeder said of the nearly two-hour work session.

The work session was held after Estes Construction delivered its facility report during the June 8 school board meeting. The board decided the detailed report deserved a separate meeting to discuss the items line by line.

The district contracted Estes Construction, who has partnered with the Iowa Association of School Board to form the Iowa Construction Advocate Team (ICAT), to do a full facility report in March for $8,000.

?The report had some issues we knew we had, but it also listed some ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Compliance (issues) that could use some updating,? said Maeder.

Besides ADA compliance issues, the report also focused on a new heating and cooling system, expanding the cafeteria and making a multi-purpose room, new preschool and kindergarten classrooms and increased security for the school?s main entrance.

Of the listed projects, Maeder said the board placed a new boiler and new preschool and kindergarten classrooms at the top of the list. ?They are both things that are outdated,? he said. ?Both are still functional, but they are definitely past their expected lifespan.?

The modular classrooms were added to the district?s campus in the 1980s and were built to last 20 years, tops. ?We?re looking at going on 30 years now,? explained Maeder.

The two projects are items the district would have to go out on bond for, as they could not be funded through a normal budget. Maeder said the district is looking at its borrowing capacity.

During Estes? previous presentations to the board, representatives have spoken to the board about Estes and ICAT?s integrated project delivery system, which would bring the district, designer and construction team together from the start. Estes claims this optimizes results and reduces waste, and hopefully the need for pricy change orders by allowing all parties to be collaborative through each phase of the project.

?That?s our next decision,? Maeder said of contracting with Estes and using its integrated project delivery system. ?What I?m going to be doing in the next few days is checking in and getting more references from other districts who have used this company.?

Maeder said if the district chose to continue with Estes, there would be an additional fee. ?We have to determine if that money (would be) well spent and if they can keep you from making decisions that would cost more money in the long run.?

?Before we get everyone all excited about this we need to have a more (defined) set of figures,? he added.

Maeder said besides the two big projects, the board also earmarked some smaller projects that the district can tackle this year on their own and pay for with money on hand.

The board will continue the building assessment and possible building discussion during its July 13 board meeting.