June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Northland Board awaits water damage insurance estimate
Water damage was discovered at Longville Elementary on March 21. Contrary to speculative reports the building was locked up last fall and walked away from, School Board Chairman, Terry Gross said at Tuesday's Buildings and Grounds Committee Meeting, the building was checked regularly by school staff. The problems arose in between building checks, during a series of spring thawing and refreezing of roof run-off, causing drain pipes inside the building's walls to crack and leak.
Compounding the urgency to receive a damage settlement, is the pending sale or transfer of the Longville property. At Tuesday's Buildings and Grounds Meeting, the committee opened two proposals. The first proposal was from Patrick and Maralyn Tabaka, who offered a purchase price of $200,000 for the property comprised of three parcels "As is." Tabaka's proposed purpose for the property is to build a new Super Value store.
The second proposal was submitted by the newly-formed Greater Longville Area Community Center (GLACC) Joint Powers Board. They proposed to obtain the property for $1. GLACC intends to keep the outdoor facilities for public use, and the building as a community center. The City of Longville would be a possible tenant in the building, Kego Township currently does not have a town hall and could also move offices into the building. Two other entities have expressed interest in renting space.
The buildings and grounds meeting was held for the purpose of reporting back to the full school board the recommendation of the committee regarding the Longville property, at the April 21 meeting. Dr. Bratlie recommended the board hold off on making any decisions until a settlement is reached with the insurance company. Fred Smith, Chairman of GLACC was present at the committee meeting, and said the joint powers would more than likely be interested in the building only if it were repaired to its pre-water damaged state or demolished and removed. Dr. Bratlie suggested giving the proposing parties an option to adjust their proposals, which may have been created prior to the discovery of the water damage.
During Thursday's regular board meeting, after the board learned they still had no word from the insurance company, Tandy Kibbler asked what if Tabaka were to withdraw his proposal because of the delay in making a decision. Rusty Lilyquist then made a motion to accept Tabaka's proposal, second by Kibbler. Board member Dan Switzer asked Lilyquist to withdraw his motion, and wait to make any decision until an insurance settlement is reached. Lilyquist added, no deed would be transferred until the insurance is finalized.[[In-content Ad]]
The board has full intention of taking the insurance settlement and applying it towards the district's debt service fund. Funds received in the settlement will not be added to the general fund, but will be used as a payment on the district's debt. GLACC Chair Smith said it was both unethical and wrong to take the money with no intent to put it towards repairing the building or removing it.
Smith said the district was given the school property by the county many years ago. He suggested the school turn it back over to the people of the area who have made improvements to the property, for public use. School Board Chairman Gross countered with "What have they [the people of Longville] done for us?" Gross implied the loss of funding to other districts for Longville students has put a strain on district finances. Lilyquist added, if the board were to "Give" the property away, rather than accept the proposal of the highest bidder, the chance of a referendum being passed would be slim.
Bill Hansen suggested a negotiation session between the two proposers and the Building and Grounds Committee, in an attempt to try to come up with a solution that would be good for the three parties. Although each proposal was to acquire all three parcels, Hansen said there could be a compromise reached that would divide the property, part for commercial development and part for GLACC to move forward on a park and community center. Lilyquist and Kibble withdrew there motion and second. A meeting between the three parties will be held at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, April 27, at the current Family Center in Longville. If an agreement is reached, the board will call a special meeting to award proposals.
In other board business, Dr. Bratlie advised the board he has identified additional expense cuts. The board directed Bratlie at their March meeting to look for additional cuts. Issues relating to extended contracts, overtime and substitutes could result in a savings of $74,500. Bratlie will, after completing his research, bring recommendations to the board at the next meeting.
Northland Principal Joe Akre presented the 2011-2012 master schedule for approval, with one minor change. Akre asked that the 3.56 full time equivalent (FTE) phy ed position be increased to 4.56 FTE, making it possible to add one more phy ed/health course to the schedule. Akre estimated the position hike would add roughly $7,000 to the budget. Dr. Bratlie then cautioned the board, who had at last month's meeting, cut the full time phy ed/health position to 3.56 FTE. Bratlie urged caution in adding to the budget, because the district is already heading towards Statutory Operating Debt (SOD) and any cost increases gets them closer. After a district goes into SOD, the state steps in to help devise a plan to get the district back into the black. Voting yes to increasing the FTE were Ione Boor, Dave Kitchenhoff and Switzer. Voting no: Hansen, Kibbler, Lilyquist and Gross.
Remer Longville Education Association (RLEA) and the board will meet for a mediation session with the Bureau of Mediation, in an attempt to settle teacher contracts. Northland's teachers have been working without a contract for nearly two years. The failure to ratify a contract resulted in the district being fined more than $10,000 in January 2010. The Bureau will set the mediation date.
On a more positive note, the board recognized Ruth Wersal for her work with the Scholastic book fair, and collecting and processing milk caps and box tops, which resulted in the school earning $1,500 for the district.
Hannah Myers, an eighth grade student at Northland, will compete for the third year in a row at the State History Day. Northland's Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator, Sue Akre said Myers begins working on her project, which Akre describes as more like a thesis, immediately after she's competed at State History Day. Myer's project is about the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Band Director, Ben Kinser told the board he was proud of his band students for the excellent job they did when performing for a crowd he estimated to be over 1,000, during their recent trip to Nashville, Tenn. Kinser said the senior high band went to the state band competition on March 30, and for the first time in five years, the band received a superior rating, the highest award level at the state competition.
Upcoming events in the district include the athletic/academic awards banquet, on May 11, in the elementary gym. A band concert is scheduled for May 12, in the high school gym, and the elementary track and field day will be May 18.
The next regular school board meeting will be on Thursday, May 19, at the Federal Dam Hall.
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