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Summer 09 concrete work

More TAX money wasted Approval of Concrete Work " Superintendent Hull received concrete work bids from Macintosh Concrete, Inc. and R and B Contractors, Inc. Motion by Christensen, second by Maresh to approve the concrete work by R and B Contractors, Inc. for repairs at the Junior-Senior High School and Valparaiso Elementary School at a cost of $6,910.00 RCV 5-0. Motion carried." From the 6-15-09 board meeting Superintendent Paul Hull presented a plan to rework the main entrance to the high school, repair some holes in the parking lot, and replace a slab in Valparaiso. the parts of this plan for the high school kinda sent up a red flag for me. 40 years with no accidents and now 3 months before a bond election for renovation it is decided to spend many thousands on work that will most likely be re-done should the referendum be successful. I don't believe this is necessary at this time and is not wise use of tax dollars. This is a real lack of planning. there was a meeting for the building committee after the may board meeting. this idea was presented. nothing like a special meeting called after an executive session. what ever happened to the public notice for these meetings? makes for a good way to keep things secret. then call a few guys on the good buddie list for a price. apparently no specs were used?? just a bid to slap some concrete down. the discussion and approval were done at a lightning pace. there was not an opportunity for any public input. I think this process is questionable at best

This is the entrance. My understanding is the steps will be replaced and raised up to the floor level.

ANother view. The entrance has been in use by the school for over 40 years with no problems. it could use some improvements, but is now a good time just 3 months before a bond issue that could change the whole layout of the building?

Looking at this version of the floor plan it looks like the door would be moved. the work done now would be torn out and thrown away. I have to point out the plan being considered right now is different, but the plan is just a drawing of what the construction MIGHT look like. so we don't even know what would be the final plan. is it responsible to spend thousands on this before knowing the outcome of the election and knowing what the final plan is going to be? I certainly do not agree with this approach. ditto on the parking lot. Over 1/2 million in the budget for site improvements is supposed to include paving the parking lot And it will change quite a bit if the wrestling building goes away. I don't get the emergency here. The plan we voted on in 07 had the BARRACKS demolished. The current plan has not been approved by voters, but these wonderful new stairs are supposed to remain. Just thinkin here, in 07 the plan was to replace the old building, then the survey asked about moving the high school to a different location, or tearing it down and building new. there have been quite a few different designs and views of what the building *MIGHT* look like so we don't know for certain what is there now will remain, yet many thousands of TAX dollars are used for this ridiculous project while budgets for educational programs like speech are cut. Replacing the antique welders in the AG shop would be an example of a much better use of funds.

What would have made this more justifiable would have been to make the entrance handicap accessible. I just have to ask why this was not done? The problem that created this emergency as I understand it was an elderly person supposedly almost tripped. SO the solution to the problem is to add another step? Bravo Sierra What the district needs is an administration that can use common sense, careful planning and restraint when spending our tax dollars.