OPN reveals detailed images of school facilities

     “All I can say is wow! I can’t believe it’s come this far!”

     Those words of praise were spoken by Dan Dailey, a member of the Monticello school facilities committee, after seeing the renderings of the proposed new middle school and high school renovations.

     During the Wednesday, Feb. 13 Monticello Board of Education work session, Katie Harms and Roger Worm, both with OPN Architects, revealed digital renderings of the centralized school campus. Aside from the school board members, Dailey and several school officials were present.

     In going over the budgetary particulars, it appeared as though the entire project, with some bid alternatives, was $2.7 million over what the Monticello school district bonded for. The bond covers $21.5 million; the current 67,227 square-foot project is estimated at $24.2 million. However, the school board quickly cut some items that they felt were not detrimental to the overall project.

     In presenting the budget and cost estimates, Harms indicated the board had some areas of potential cost savings.

     One item that was removed from the project was geothermal heating and cooling at a cost of $474,000.

     “No one is doing residential geothermal anymore,” indicated Worm of the high up-front costs.

     Superintendent Brian Jaeger said the district could always find a different way to go about having high-efficiency heating and cooling.

     The board also chose to eliminate a back parking lot at a cost savings of $180,810.

     “We could always add it in the future,” suggested Jaeger. “This is a significant savings.”

     The land on which the parking lot was intended would be used for green space for outdoor P.E. activities or outdoor recess for the middle schoolers.

     School board member Bud Johnson said the front parking lot has the ability to be added on to if needed.

     “The parking lot is not a critical function of the building itself,” added board member Craig Stadtmueller.

     The board is doing away with a $45,000 gym curtain as well. Johnson said while they could do away with the curtain in the meantime, the hardware could be installed to support a curtain down the road.

     “We could take it out of PPEL in a year or two,” he said.

     One construction item Harms questioned the board on was using kalwall (translucent building material) to let in natural light. The cost is $70,926. The board was unanimous in keeping the kalwall in the plans.

     The new and improved 3,500-square-foot entryway into the high school has been a topic of some discussion at several of the last school board meetings. The new renderings Harms presented come at a cost of $1.75 million. The entryway also includes relocating the school district offices.

     “I sure like it,” praised Jeager. “It’s a nice place to spend money. It has real curb appeal.”

     Board member Dave Melchert said he would like to see the entryway provide the “wow factor” once people and visitors walk inside versus outside.

     Showcasing an illustration of the new high school entryway at night, Harms said it’s a pretty powerful image.

     When it comes time to go out to bid, the entryway, high school auditorium addition ($2,400) and new high school gym bleachers ($1,500) will be bid as separate alternatives to the overall project.

     “The high school bleachers are 20 years old,” remarked Johnson, noting the need for replacement, in addition to the fading red color.

     Dennis Dirks, district Buildings and Grounds, said a new set of bleachers would bring the district into ADA compliance.

     “There will be $5 million in the SAVE account by next summer,” shared Jaeger. “We have some cushion.”

     He said the main goals are to fix the problems in and around the high school, building a good middle school, and bring the high school up to speed.

     “We got a lot of information tonight,” summarized Jaeger.

     Board member John Schlarmann said while the bottom line figure is above what was anticipated, “it’s not as bad as it could be.

     “It could be a lot worse,” he said.

In other school board business:

     • The board also reviewed interior building and decorative materials. Harms said they have been working with the steering committee and school staff on what would look best and work best in various spaces throughout the middle school.

     The main corridor will see polished concrete with large aggregate throughout. This will also go down in the art room, multi-purpose room/media center, commons and entryways.

     “The concrete is low maintenance and a lot less cost,” said Worm.

     Dennis Dirks, district Buildings and Grounds, said the polished concrete won’t require waxing, which is a plus. He said a piece of equipment would need to be purchased for polishing.

     Carpet made up of geometric shapes and patterns will be seen in the classrooms. Johnson suggested carpet with some movement in it to hide what ends up on the floor. “It’s not as noticeable,” he said.

     • The board discussed working with the City of Monticello on whether a turning lane is needed on Oak Street/Highway 38, as well as resurfacing Spring Farm Lane, which would become a major thoroughfare for buses to drop off and pick students up.

     Jaeger told the board he’s been in talks with City Administrator Doug Herman as to what the city council could work into their budget.