By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Details of Union Grove High School’s proposed facilities–related referendum could be coming down the pike in the months ahead.
UGHS officials have hinted that one or more referendum questions could turn up on a ballot in one of the upcoming elections.
District Administrator Al Mollerskov and other UGHS school officials provided an update of a facility needs study at a School Board meeting Monday.
Mollerskov said Nexus Solutions, a firm the district hired to assist in long-range facilities planning, has presented the district with a series of options. Nexus Solutions touts itself as a firm specializing in 21st Century learning facilities.
Further discussion of Nexus Solutions’ recommendations will ensue at the School Board’s meeting in June, Mollerskov said, and will be explored on a deeper level at a board retreat slated for June 21.
“Once we have that retreat, we should have more information,” Mollerskov said.
In December, UGHS closed on the purchase of a 14.6-acre parcel of land at 3433 S. Colony Ave., directly north of the existing campus. The maneuver fits hand-in-glove into the facilities study under way.
The additional land brings the high school’s total footprint to an even 40 acres, providing a number of possibilities, Mollerskov said. A home, two cottages and a garage sit on the 14.6 acres of land, and redevelopment opportunities could be on the horizon.
In other business this week, the UGHS School Board:
- Appointed board officers as part of the customary board reorganization that takes place after the spring election.
Diane Skewes will continue as board president, while Dawn Van Ess remains in place as vice president. Paula Jasperson was re-appointed to the role of clerk.
Board members Steve McClelland and Randall Henderson swapped their roles on the board. Henderson will now assume the role of treasurer, while McClelland will take on the at-large director duties.
- Approved the district’s 2017-2020 technology plan, which is a customary exercise every three years.
Mollerskov said the document touches on a number of suggestions, which might be explored in the road ahead, including the implementation of 3-D technology in some of the high school’s more specialized courses.
“There’s no directive to actually do anything (in the plan),” Mollerskov said. “You don’t want to spend too much (on specific technology) if it’s going to be outdated right away.”
- Discussed planning for the upcoming 2017-18 budget. Mollerskov said several moving pieces — including decisions on the possible referendum — will play an important role in crafting a finalized version of UGHS’ spending plan for the next school year.
“It’s a little early to tell right now, but I don’t think we’ll be in bad shape,” Mollerskov said.
The district’s tentative budget includes several capital expenses, including the allocation of $140,000 toward lighting in the high school’s performance center. The existing infrastructure, Mollerskov said, is 18 years old.
- Renewed the district’s contract with busing provider Dousman Transport for the 2017-18 school year. All four of UGHS’ K-8 feeder districts also have contracts in place with Dousman.
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