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RANDOLPH – School board members and 18 members of the public came together to study, discuss and prioritize Randolph Public Schools’ facility needs.
The group also toured the current vocational ag building during the two-hour work session April 4. The need for a new vocational agriculture building has been an ongoing need.
Built in the late 1960s, the two existing ag buildings total 7,900 square feet and were not built to house the current equipment being used. Having two separate buildings is not ideal for safety and it limits the number of students in those courses, according to previous board discussions.
Parts of the building have fallen into disrepair, including some gaps in the ceiling structure where daylight shines through. There also is no storm shelter at the building, which is now legally required.
The board started levying monies into the special building fund in 2021 to potentially build a new vocational ag building that would also house the art program, and the special building fund currently stands at $1.3 million.
“Just like at your home where you might try to save money in a certain account because you want to remodel a bedroom, you want to replace carpet, the board was being prudent with taxpayers’ money and they are putting aside money so they could pay for this project and not putting extra burden on the taxpayer,” said Superintendent Daryl Schrunk.
Fakler Architects developed the original plans for a new building that would house both the ag and art programs, but the board tabled any action on continuing with the project in March 2022 due to rising construction costs.
In September 2020, former Superintendent Jeff Hoesing estimated a cost of $100-$120 per square foot. But a little more than a year later, that amount had doubled to $240 per square foot. The one bid received came in at $304 per square foot.
Changes in the law this year limits the amount boards can set aside in a special building fund, Schrunk said.
“Now we’re in the place, that project, we’re always chasing the tail to get there,” Schrunk said. “Whatever that money is today, we would not be able to get there the next year or the year after.”
Schrunk said the current school facilities are beautiful and functional, but there needs to be a plan in place to address and prioritize future needs much like there’s a plan to fund replacements of technology, curriculum and school vehicles.
That led to gathering input from the board and staff to come up with a master list of potential wants and needs. While the board made some prioritized selections from that list, it was the work of the steering committee last week to work together in small groups to prioritize items.
From the 40-plus-item master list, small groups identified more than a dozen as high priorities, including these areas at the high school: - New vocational ag/art building. - Structural damage around high chimney, repair/ replace decking, insulation and roofing as needed. One section of roof is also leaking inside the high school building and needs to be replaced, mold/roof mitigation if necessary.
- Addition of fire sprinklers. - A/C and fans added to main gym. - Replace existing lighting with LED. These items were prioritized at the elementary school: - Replace HVAC systems, add fire sprinklers and replace lighting with LED.
- Add restrooms to both floors and reconfigure sinks.
- Replace windows. - Reconfigure main entrance for security. - Add a kitchen to the courtyard area north of the gym.
- Add electrical outlets in classrooms. The board already approved asbestos abatement at Randolph Elementary, which will be completed this summer in three phases.
Another work session has been set for Thursday, April 18. At that time, cost estimates will be presented along with information about financial options and potential tax impacts.
