Current superintendent of schools, Dr. Melonie Hau provided a bond issue projects update to school patrons. She said when the projects are complete, it will be “incredible — so much better than what we have now.”
Hau said these will include classrooms, playground equipment, restrooms at the track, new roads to all school sites, and safety features.
Hau said, “There’s a lot of hope and energy about the great things to come. We appreciate the community and way you support the school and the kids.”
Hau was joined in the update by Bond Oversight Committee member Jonie Wisdom.
During the months of August to November, the school worked on the bond financing pieces, working with their bond advisor from BOK Financial. Some of the funds began coming in during November and were turned over to the school district.
They expect additional funds for transportation and for maintenance pieces of the bond to come in later.
From September to March, multiple site meetings have been held with school teams and teacher teams to discuss classroom projects at the high school and middle school, and the playground project at the elementary school.
A meeting was held at the high school so school staff could preview the band room, the family consumer science room, and the cafeteria. Hau said this information will be out to the public soon.
Hau added that the school has been able to purchase buses, but because of supply chain problems their delivery has been delayed. They won’t arrive until later in the spring. There were two buses delivered, but these were purchased with federal dollars.
During the months of February through March, the school has been holding budget meetings and determining projections. Hau said because of inflation, they are having to watch the budget very closely.
“We already know we are over budget with the classroom projects at the high school and middle school,” Hau said. “This translates into adjusting square footage, but trying not to give up any classroom space.”
Wisdom said the Parent Bond Oversight committee has been made aware of the potential cuts in classroom space, but she added that ultimately any decision will rest with the Newcastle Board of Education.
Hau said the school does have the portable buildings that had been purchased and are now in use at the middle school, and the school system will probably have to continue using these as the district grows.
The bidding process is underway for the high school gymnasium heating and air conditioning systems. Hau said these are planned to be ground units, and the lead time on these is three months, once they are ordered. She said they won’t be delivered until later in the summer and the school is already into volleyball season again at that time.
“The project will require the gym to be shut down for two to three months,” Hau said. She explained that because of this, construction will likely not start until about one year from now in the spring, so as not to affect volleyball or basketball season. Hau noted that last year the school utilized some portable air conditioning with the parents paying the bill for those, but this year the school will provide the portable air conditioners and pay for them.
The superintendent said among bond projects high on her list are the ones with safety features.
These include a hidden covered walkway from the lower elementary to the cafeteria, and one to the 5th grade classes. Hau added that the new band room addition will also be a storm shelter. And there will be a secure vestibule providing one main entry for gaining access to the high school.
