The Mabel-Canton School Board met in regular session on August 17. In attendance were Mark Wiedemann, Jason Marquardt, Chris Miller, Superintendent Gary Kuphal, Lisa Halverson, Diane Wilder, and Dustin Tollefsrud. Traci Livingood participated via remote technology. Board Chair Cristal Adkins was absent, so Chris Miller led the meeting.
Chad Pike, representing the Kraus Anderson Construction Company, gave the board a “high level” update on the ongoing renovation project at the school. Pike summarized the progress made on the roofing, bathrooms, classrooms, and gym floor portions of the project. He stated that the several “unexpected items” have been discovered during the project, and explained that these lead to additional cost and time. The unexpected items include tuckpointing, brick lintels-rust pack, asbestos, and gutters on the gym.
Pike explained, “I’m not a contractor; I’m like an extension of your staff… You guys hire us to watch out for whatever your best interest is, so that’s what we do. We make sure that whatever was designed by Wendel, that it’s done the right way.” Regarding the budget for the project, Pike shared that Phase 1 of the project has an overall planned budget of $2.8 million, while Phase 2 has a budget of $3.8 million. The Phase 2 work will include replacement of windows, HVAC work, ceiling replacements, and some finishes. Pike and Superintendent Kuphal agreed that the various contractors working on the project have been very responsive and cooperative throughout the process.
Regarding the gym, Kuphal explained that the new bleachers are not part of the project being overseen by Kraus Anderson. He said the company making the bleachers has encountered delays in getting the materials to make the bleachers. Kuphal stated, “When I last connected with the bleacher company last week, he got back to me… we were scheduled originally for (a completion date of) August 13, and then that got moved to August 30… and I asked for an update, and he said the manufacturer can’t get metal to build the bleachers. So we will not have bleachers in time for the beginning of volleyball.” Kuphal said the manufacturer estimated a delay of roughly two more weeks beyond August 30. He said chances are, folding chairs would be used until the bleachers are completed.
Regarding Mabel-Canton’s “Return to School Plan,” Kuphal gave an update. He said the Plan has been on the school’s website for anyone interested. Kuphal summarized that just “some slight changes” to the Plan are being brought for the board’s consideration. He said that after meeting with the local “COVID team,” “We are recommending that masks are recommended, but not required, for students and staff.” He went on, “In talking with schools, especially in southeast Minnesota, there is no school currently, that I’m aware of, in southeast Minnesota that is requiring masks for 7-12 students. K-6 students, Rochester is requiring them; Dover-Eyota is requiring them… And the difference is… because of the lack of vaccination at the elementary level.” He said a few other schools are “leaning toward” a mask requirement, but formal decisions haven’t yet been made. Kuphal summarized, “In all other cases, schools are recommending but not requiring masks.”
Board members pointed out that public transportation, including school busses, are covered by a CDC federal mandate that requires masks to be worn. Kuphal said, “That’s probably the one and only requirement… The state is not going to come in and mandate. They’ve been consistently sending that message… it’s local control.” The board approved the few changes as described by Kuphal.
Principal Michelle Wiedemann shared that recent staff hirings have been brought onto the Mabel-Canton team, but that there are still openings for custodian and Spanish language. She stated, “Spanish Two, at this point is going to be virtual. I had a lead on one school district, but that’s not going to work out. So I still have the Minnesota Virtual Academy that is definitely a possibility. I’m trying to work with one other school where they’d be able to potentially have a teacher online with our kids at the same time… but that is going to be online.” The board’s next regular meeting will be September 21 at 6 p.m. The public is welcome.
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