By SYDNEY KENT
and HOLLY GASKILL
Bluffton-Harrison School District held a public hearing on Monday evening to finance several much needed school construction projects with the least impact to taxpayers.
Namely, the project will address building issues for Bluffton High School. The district plans to replace the roof and windows, renovate the exterior walls and canopies, and improve the HVAC system.
These projects, Superintendent Brad Yates expressed, are necessary for the maintenance of the school. The high school has routinely encountered issues with roof leaks and issues with moisture, primarily affecting the gymnasium and commons. Yates stated that construction dates would be determined by the bid process in order to cause the fewest intrusions with the school’s operations.
The district approved a motion to partner with Elevatus Architecture of Fort Wayne to guide the design and bid process, contingent on approval of funds for the project. Jim Elizondo, with Stifel Public Finance, gave the first of two presentations explaining how the proposed project would be financed and the effect on taxpayers.
The bond will bring the district’s debt service rate to 0.4679 percent, the same rate taxpayers received in 2022. Because of expiring debt, this creates a net zero impact to taxpayers.
The specific costs for these projects were estimated as follows: $4,715,154, for the roof replacement; $1,375,000 for wall improvements without panels; $2,785,180 for wall improvements with panels; $575,000 for window replacement; $192,000 for canopy replacement; $2,020,000 for chiller and cold water pump replacement; and $1,230,000 for boiler plant and hot water pump replacement.
Austin Papenbrock from Garland Company of Cleveland presented the results of a study which allowed the district to identify the areas where moisture is currently trapped.
“Out of over 160,000 square feet of roof, only around 2,000 square feet was identified,” Papenbrock said. “By identifying the wet, we can replace the wet, and reutilize the existing insulation to save a lot of money for the community.”
Papenbrock presented multiple roofing options that could potentially last from 30 to 40 years.
“We want a cost effective system that is a long term solution as well,” Yates said.
Representing Elevatus Architecture, Emily Hower was present to answer questions about the design. Hower stated the firm has partnered with a Fort Wayne business to create a 3D model of the building, allowing the district to test design ideas and identify potential issues before any work is done.
The board will meet at 6 p.m. on July 31 for the second public hearing on this matter.
All board members were present for the hearing.
Other updates included:
• The BHS’ HVAC energy saving project is expected to finish by the beginning of August. Meanwhile, the middle school’s roof replacement will be completed by the end of August, and improvements to the parking lot and tennis court are estimated to finish by Aug. 1.
• Policy GEB was approved by the board, providing regulation for the contracting of adjunct teachers. The Indiana School Boards Association recommended the adoption of the policy following the authorization of adjunct teachers through the Indiana General Assembly. Similarly, the board repealed Policy JKA regarding denial of work permits following new legislation.
• Steve Tabor was re-appointed to the library board following the end of his term in August.
• The board accepted two resignations: BHS intense intervention instructional assistant Rita Ebbinghouse and Bluffton-Harrison Elementary School special education instructional assistant Dominique Simpson.
• The following employment recommendations were approved for the upcoming school year: Caylee Pyle as alternative school teacher; Amy Foreman-Habegger as BHES art teacher; Elliot Jimenez as BHMS personal finance teacher; Kristi Searles as fifth grade writing teacher; Alyssa Moser as BHES high ability coordinator; Clarissia Tijerina as BHMS high ability coordinator; Tara Cocanower as BHS high ability coordinator; Zella Walborn as dyslexia specialist; Kole Meyer as testing coordinator and student information specialist; Diana Arzola as BHMS custodian; Craig Teagle as BHS weights teacher; Lindsey Leonhard as Area 18 Career Coach; Donna Huss-Contino as substitute nurse; Olivia Schreiber as childcare employee; and Vicki Van Matre, Adam King, Erin Mounsey, and Brittany Kloer as mentors. Summer employment recommendations were: Meyer as summer camp/summer school administrator; Margaret Brooks as summer school substitute teacher; Mary Nolan as summer childcare driver; John Houlihan, Nicolle Beer, and Heather Strunk as summer school drivers; Roger Hodle as summer school special education bus assistant; Jerry Baller, Rachel Kinsey, and Mary Nolan as summer activity drivers; and Robert Flynn as special purpose bus drivers.
• The board also announced their intent to employ a sixth grade language arts teacher, two middle school intense intervention instructional assistants, two elementary school mild intervention, 1 elementary school intense intervention instructional assistants, a high school intense intervention instructional assistant, and a bus driver.
• The following coaching recommendations were approved: Teagle as BHS basketball head coach and summer basketball coach; Ben Powers as BHS softball coach with Matt Moore as assistant coach; Abby Clines as BHS volleyball assistant coach with Ashlee Xayyachack and Erin Kreigh as assistant coaches; Megan Dettmer as BHMS volleyball coach; Bob Dahl as BHS cross country assistant coach; and Jonathan Morgan as eSports head coach with Tyson Brooks and Kurt Smith as assistant coaches.
• The follow transfers were approved: Doug Curtis from teaching middle school personal finance to high school health; Krista Bazter from teaching 6th grade language arts to 8th grade PCC; Chris Kruchkow from teaching part-time electrical pathways to full-time advanced manufacturing; Clarissia Tijerina from teaching fifth grade writing to sixth grade writing; and Jessica Clark from BHES middle intervention instructional assistant to BHES intense intervention instructional assistant and childcare supervisor.
• The district will be the host for Bluffton NOW! Parlor City Market on Saturday, July 29. Representatives from BHMSD will be at the market and Grace Sommerfeld, BHMSD Elementary Music Teacher, will be in attendance with her summer camp bucket drummers for a performance on the plaza.
• Assistant Superintendent Julie Meitzler gave the board updates on upcoming programming and education pathways.
• Elementary school principal Schlaura Linderwell announced that the school hopes to be finished with the first pre-kindergarten experiential classroom, a farm experience, by August 3.
• The Our Town Safety Village project received only one bid, which exceeded grant funding. The district is working with vendors to rescope the project, either by downsizing or adding funds.
• Yates presented graphics, available on the school website, displaying changes to the transportation system in the elementary, middle and high schools in an effort to improve the flow of transportation and restrict cross traffic.
sydney@news-banner.com
holly@news-banner.com
