Cloverdale School Board briefed on building updates

CLOVERDALE — Seeing a need for upgrades at each of its school buildings, Cloverdale Schools is looking forward to completing new projects in the coming year.

Kyle Miller of Schmidt Associates provided an overview of said projects to the Cloverdale School Board at its regular meeting Monday evening.

With the firm having visited the campus and met with Supt. Greg Linton and Maintenance Director Eddie Byrns, no final decisions have been made. But even then, some determinations have been made.

In general, the projects include more secure vestibules at each of the schools, as well as new flooring in the middle school and high school cafeterias and restroom renovations at the elementary school. Depending on where the finances stand, the front entry at the high school could also be changed.

“The first thing I’ll tell you, is that every building is different; every building has a different situation, a different setup,” Miller prefaced. “It’s not just you plop down the same design everywhere you go.”

This said as to the vestibules, the one at the elementary school would entail new windows and doors in a small canopy, as well as a new check-in desk. The high school’s would get similar attention, while the one at the middle school would be less involved.

With the cafeteria flooring, the existing “vinyl composite” tile would be replaced by new “luxury vinyl” tile. The vinyl base would be replaced, while new walk-off carpeting would be installed.

With Miller acknowledging that it has not gotten the same attention, the high school’s entry has challenges. The main issue is that the wall separating the gymnasium is a shear one, and thus cannot be removed. However, what is possible is relocating the trophy case and concessions, after which a common area could be created.

“We have not really spent a whole lot of time doing it, because we really wanted to find out what we could do with that wall,” Miller said. “But we do feel like there’s gonna be some money in the budget to do something here.”

Meanwhile, restrooms at the elementary school, three sets from 1975 and one from 1993, mean different levels of need. The former would entail new ceilings, fixtures and partitions, while the latter would require minimal cleaning and updating.

Speaking to the costs, Miller cautioned the considerations still being early.

The low-range cost is now at $1,565,625, while the high range is at $1,903,765. However, total bond funds determined by Stifel Financial would allow about $360,000 for the former and about $21,000 for the latter. Miller suggested this could go toward the high school entry.

“I will say that cost estimating is the hardest thing to do right now,” Miller said. “Hopefully we can get some people here who want to do something with the schools and sharpen the pencil.”

The final design is expected to be due by Nov. 3, with advertisements for bids coming out in January. The work itself is hoped to be substantially complete sometime next fall.

“I know we’ve changed this around just a little bit from our initial conversation,” Linton told the board. “But after we have went out to take a look at it, we feel like this is probably the most responsible direction to go with the money that we have.”

In other business:

• Pending its ratification by the teachers, the board approved the corporation’s annual agreement with the Cloverdale Educators Association.

Linton noted several updates, including a total $3,300 pay increase for all teachers ($2,200 on the base and a step on the pay scale), increasing the matching retirement contribution from $150 to $500 and a $200 attendance incentive (missing no days during a nine weeks). He also said the corporation is working with another to share the cost of an elementary school counselor.

“I would like to thank the teachers at large, that we struggle through times and you agree to stick with us,” Board President Vivian Whitaker said before the approval. “Now that we’re able to do some of the things we promised to do, we’re able to do it.”

• With Linton relating that it has been vacant for years and needed attention, the board approved a resolution for the corporation’s purchasing the lot at 204 Brown Ave. in Cloverdale. The property is adjacent to Cloverdale High School.

The property is being sold to the corporation by a trust in the name of Betty Jean Monnett. Linton commented that the owners gave a “very reasonable” price for the acquisition.

The board also recognized Cloverdale Schools’ Students of the Month: Jacob Baumgartner (Cloverdale Elementary School), Erin Rubeck (Cloverdale Middle School) and Katie Dicken (Cloverdale High School). As they could not attend the board’s last meeting, Jimma Harrison and Gracie Haga were recognized as the middle school’s and high school’s September Students of the Month, respectively.

Cloverdale Elementary teacher Morgan Barley was also recognized as the Staff Member of the Month.

Taking them in three separate votes, the board also approved the following personnel:

• Employment: Sherry Flory - full-time bus driver;

• Coaching:

— Hires: Brian Siddons - CMS head wrestling coach; and Hannah Suits - CMS assistant volleyball coach;

— Resignation: Steve Schabel - eighth-grade basketball head coach;

— Volunteers: McGuire Lee and Jason Mosson - CHS baseball volunteer assistants; Brady Koosman, Nolan Kelley, Cooper Neese, Eric Kukman, Chase Haltom, Brantson Scott, Jake Kelly, Joseph Garza, Brant Gadberry and Trevor Lucas - CHS boys’ basketball volunteer assistants; and Michael Nees, Veronica Carter and Matt Nichols - CHS girls’ basketball volunteer assistants;

• Hire: Steve Schabel - JV boys’ basketball coach.

Schabel’s hiring was added to the personnel report at the start of the meeting. Missy Carrell opposed the addition and the agenda being amended as such, as well as the board’s separate vote.

As a personnel issue, no reasons for the addition or Carrell’s opposition were stated.

With Mike Rightmyer absent, Executive Secretary Heather Stokes joined Linton, Whitaker and the rest of the board for the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Cloverdale School Board is set for Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Arthur L. Johnson Administration Office near Cloverdale High School.