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Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a three-week series on the Randolph Public Schools’ bond issue on the general election ballot. *** Trisha Benton Randolph Times RANDOLPH – From the littlest learners to seniors in high school, the proposed improvements included in Randolph Public School’s bond issue will impact all students.
The $9.75 million school bond issue on the general election ballot will include a new Career and Technical Education building (currently the ag building), improvements to sustain the elementary building, and upgrades and repairs to the high school.
In total, nearly $4.9 million is planned for upgrades at the elementary; $4.2 million for a new CTE/ag building; and almost $650,000 for updates to the high school building.
Here’s a closer look at where the money will go:
Randolph Elementary upgrades
According to a 2023 facility audit, Randolph’s elementary building is structurally sound, however, it is showing its age with some significant upgrades needed.
Asbestos ceiling and flooring tiles were removed this past summer. Those improvements will tie into ceiling replacement and the installation of energy-efficient lighting if the bond issue is approved. Other energy-efficient improvements planned include updating the electrical system and installing energy efficient windows.
“Right now we have single pane windows so basically whatever the temperature is on the outside that’s what they feel like inside next to those windows,” said Superintendent Daryl Schrunk.
The original boiler system will be replaced with new HVAC.
Schrunk said last winter the district ran into issues in replacing an ignitor switch to keep a boiler up and running at the elementary.
“The part, although very inexpensive, was difficult to find since the boilers are almost 60 years old,” he said.
Addressing the electrical system will help in keeping up with modern technology demands.
“Technology in 1965 was non-existent or at least minimal especially in schools,” Schrunk said. “Now, we have iPad carts and laptop carts that we roll into classrooms so each student has a device to use. There are not enough outlets to plug in the technology or other advancements that need electricity in 2024.”
Along with efficiency improvements, safety concerns will also be addressed by providing a more secure front entrance, and installing fire sprinklers and modern fire alarms.
“Sprinklers are not something you can trim out when you are renovating a whole building; that is required,” said Elementary Principal Denton Beacom.
Finally, additional restrooms will be provided - a girls’ restroom on the second floor and a boys’ restroom on the first floor. These will be upgraded to be accessible to those with disabilities as compliance with the American with Disabilities Act is required, Beacom said.
A large sink would be shared by both boys and girls outside of the separate restrooms.
The bond also provides for the addition of a 900-square-foot serving kitchen including warming equipment and refrigeration units.
For the past 16 years, elementary students have been bussed to the high school for the noon meal. If the bond issue is passed and a serving kitchen created, meals will continue to be made at the high school and then the food - instead of the students - would be transported to the elementary, reducing lost classroom time.
A conservative estimate would be the loss of 20 minutes per day, but may be higher in the winter when students have to take the time to bundle up with coats and winter gear to travel, Schrunk said.
“If the students were in the elementary it would be line up, walk down the hallway, get in line to eat,” he said.
New CTE building
The need for a new vocational ag building has been an ongoing need.
Built in the late 1960s, the two existing ag buildings 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 courses there.
Parts of the building have fallen into disrepair, including some gaps in the ceiling structure where daylight shines through due to building deterioration. There also is no storm shelter at the building which is now legally required, and air ventilation needs to be upgraded, said High School Principal Brandi Bartels.
Currently, animal science/large animal management, plant and soil science, welding, woodworking, agriscience, agricultural exploration, drafting, building construction, and metals fabrication courses are taught at the ag building.
More than 60 students will be utilizing the vocational ag building this year, which represents 60 percent of Junior High and high school students, Bartels said. Over the past five years, that number has stayed consistent with at least one year with more than 70 students taking a class there.
A heavy focus on agriculture will continue but a new building allows the school system to encompass more Career Technical Education, fine arts, industrial technology, computers and house the school-based businesses.
“I would hope we could expand other opportunities for students,” Schrunk said.
When the original facility was built in 1966, agriculturists were still using six-row equipment. Today, updated technology includes autonomous tractors, biotechnology, high technology equipment, precision agriculture and more.
Now, one in four jobs is in technical agriculture, Schrunk said.
The added space and updated facilities will aid in the instruction of these updates now and into the future, Bartels said.
“There’s been a big push lately by our community colleges and colleges to invest in new science technology.
The job market is telling us those are the jobs available for students,” she said, referring to those jobs as H3 - high wage, high skill and high demand. “Kids that utilize this building and build those skills, there’s going to be jobs out there for them, for sure. This is really about preparing those students for life after high school.”
The new CTE building is structurally different from a standard farm building in that steel members must be thicker to meet higher wind load requirements. Functionally, the new building must adhere to building code with insulation, adequate lighting and electrical outlets with adequate voltage for various equipment, fire sprinklers and fire separations, energy recovery and ventilation systems, HVAC equipment for a learning environment, multiple restrooms and a storm shelter.
The current building does not have a storm shelter.
“If we have a tornado heading our way, they’re going to have to go outside of the building to seek shelter,” Bartels said.
High school repairs
The high school building is also part of planned improvements if the bond issue passes.
Decking between the roof and ceiling has been damaged due to a leak. A new sloped insulation system will prevent future leaks including a weather barrier to the existing gymnasium brick wall.
Another improvement will be the addition of air conditioning to the main gym which will include controls for maximum efficiency.
Electricity would also be upgraded to accommodate for the addition. Existing ductwork would be re-used when possible.
Schrunk said he gets much feedback from fans, players and even referees about Randolph’s unique gym but then there’s one thing that gives them pause - the lack of air conditioning.
“I’m sure in 1994, most gyms did not have air conditioning,” Schrunk said of when the structure was constructed.
Getting the work done
If the bond issue passes, the bid process would happen about four months later, Schrunk said.
He’s provided a list of 15 local contractors to the district’s construction management firm BD Construction, Kearney, to potentially be tapped to help with the project.
Preliminary plans call for the demolition of the current ag building during the final quarter of the academic year with construction through the summer of the new building and possibly into the first quarter of 2025.
“We will work with them to have the least amount of disruption to the education of our students,” Schrunk said.
Work at the elementary school would occur mostly in the summer when school is out of session.
“There’s no definite timeframe but I would imagine on the front end and back end of the project, we may need to adjust our school days a bit,” Schrunk said.
More information about the school bond issue can be found at randolphbuildstomorrow. org. ***
Coming next week: Learn more about the financial impacts of the school bond issue.
