OPN presents scaled-down plan

     Preliminary construction estimates are causing alterations to preliminary plans for the new middle school.

     Representatives from OPN Architects were on hand at the Monticello School Board’s regular meeting Dec. 17 to update the board on floor plan and building model ideas.

     While voters, in September, approved a $15 million issue for the construction of a 60,000 square foot building, OPN had presented, during the Nov. 26 meeting, a model for a building that covered 75,000 square feet.

     That, it turns out, was reaching too high.

     “You aren’t going to be able to afford 75,000 square feet,” Vicki Hyland of OPN told the board Monday.

     The model OPN presented Monday called for a 66,800 square-foot building, but even with that, Hyland said, the $15 million would still fall $2 million to $3 million short, due to unexpected rises in material and construction costs.

     So, OPN is working on some reductions to its original plan, particularly in the gym, the commons, and with site parking and paving. How many parking spots to provide generated the most discussion during OPN’s 90-minute presentation.

     OPN will continue to update the plan, and present the next one at the Jan. 28 regular meeting.

In other board business

     • The board heard principals’ reports from Denny Folken (elementaries) and Brent Meier (middle school) about how the Vision to Learn program had provided a total of 44 students with pairs of glasses.

     • The board approved a resolution for modified allowable growth request for at-risk/dropout prevention in the amount of $249,478.

     • The board approved a foreign exchange student for the 2019-20 school year.

     • The board approved the first reading of a new board policy, 608.3, regarding Title I Parent and Family Engagement. The policy is a state requirement in order for the district to receive Title I funding.

     • The board approved the second and final readings of five other board policies, four of them regarding transportation, and the fifth one deleting a policy regarding state aid for the medical assistance fund.

     • The board approved, as part of the consent agenda, the appointments of Rick Wright as shuttle bus driver, and Abby Taylor as special education child specific associate at Shannon School.

     • The board approved, as part of the consent agenda, changing the contract of Laurie Hermsen to allow for one hour of bus driving during the school year.