Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
ISG Business Unit Leader Kevin Bills and Kraus-Anderson Construction Company Senior Project Manager Chad Pike appeared before the Spring Grove School Board on Monday evening, March 18, to update the board on the design and budget of the school’s current referendum project.
Pike explained that ISG is in charge of the design and Kraus-Anderson oversees budgeting and construction.
Superintendent Rachel Udstuen explained to the board that they have been through two rounds of visioning. The first visioning lab was all about staff wants and during the second visioning lab participants became acutely aware of the budget limitations. Udstuen noted that the first lab was really fun. The third visioning lab will focus on integrating feedback into the plan.
Bills presented schematic drawings of the school’s layout incorporating feedback from the first two visioning labs. Bills also reviewed the schedule with the board. Bills and Pike will return to the May board meeting with an updated budget and construction documents will be completed by the first of July. Bids are scheduled to go out in October/November depending on the conditions which Pike is monitoring.
Funding for the project is currently at $13,393,040 including the bond referendum funds $12,195,000 and the bond sale premium of $1,198,040. The projected total project costs without the hazardous abatement and technology/security equipment is $13,080,214, which is $332,825.64 under budget. After going over the budget, Pike noted, “At this stage we are sitting in a really good spot.” Pike reminded the board that the budget will change with the next budget review scheduled in May.
Vice-chair Stephanie Jaster called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in Chairman Aaron Solum’s absence.
Board members present included Kelly Rohland, Stephanie Jaster, Angie Solie and Aric Elton. Chairman Aaron Solum arrived 10 minutes late and board member Rhan Flatin was absent.
Staff members in attendance included Superintendent Rachel Udstuen, Assistant Superintendent Gina Meinertz, Principal Luke Kjelland, District Accountant Tanya Elton, and Administrative Assistant Rachel Bjerke. Student Representative Taylor Reinhardt was also present.
The consent agenda was approved as written including approval of the agenda and additional agenda items, the minutes from the regular February 20 regular board meeting, the treasurer’s report, pay the bills, the contract with Ty Cleven for junior high baseball, paraprofessional contract for Erin Woods, and accepted the resignation of Kaley Cross, secondary art instructor, and the resignation of Wade Grinde as varsity boys basketball coach and accepted the following donations to the school district: $1,000 from Betty Bowman for Washington, D.C. trip for students in need; $10,000 from Thrivent for the Charles and Audrey Ellingson Scholarship; and $300 from Merchants Bank for the scholarship fund.
Reinhardt reported that on March 25 the FFA dairy judging team – Katie Klug, Nate Crouch, Garrett Waldenberger, Addison Turner and Tyler Turner – will attend the Region 8 FFA awards program. The team will be recognized for placing first in the regional competition. Reinhardt said “The team has been busy practicing for the state competition that takes place April 22 in St. Paul.” The senior class leaves for Washington, D.C. on Sunday, March 24, and will return on Saturday, March 30.
Superintendent Rachel Udstuen presented the 2024-25 calendar for approval. The start date is Monday, August 26, 2024, and the end date is Friday, May 23, 2025, allowing for a longer summer in 2025 for construction. The calendar was unanimously approved.
Summary of the February 20, 2024, closed session for Superintendent Udstuen’s evaluation, “Superintendent Udstuen meets or exceeds the expectations in all 10 areas of performance common to the position of Superintendent.”
In other business, the board:
- Did not take any action on the early retirement incentive request from Al Lochner.
- Approved the contract with Assistant Baseball Coach Phil Griffin.
- Approved the contract with Junior High Assistant Baseball Coach Payton Leahy.
- Adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the Spring Grove Public School Board is Monday, April 15, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the school’s Learning Resource Center. The meeting is open to the public. In addition, the school continues to offer board meetings on Google Meet for anyone who would like to attend virtually. For assistance monitoring the meeting, contact the district office at (507) 498-3221 or email rachel.udstuen@springgrove.k12.mn.us.
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