Construction ahead at local schools

The Wahkiakum School District campus will be filled with contractors working on a variety of projects this summer.

One project will eliminate asbestos ceiling tiles from the high school buildings; another will replace the sewer line at Wendt Elementary School, and a third will replace old electrical fixtures and equipment with new, energy efficient models that will reduce the district's electricity bill.

Members of the district's board of directors heard reports on these projects and other business when they held their monthly meeting April 19.

High school buildings will be closed June 26 through August 15 for the asbestos tile removal project. The district has received a $100,000 Urgent Repair Grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Superintendent Bob Garrett said the district office staff will have to relocate during the project, and the district will have to move much equipment and furnishings during the project. A group of volunteers will be organized for that work.

The board voted to accept the bid of PBS+Environmental for the work; the firm bid $89,920 for the project.

The board also reviewed the scope of an energy retrofit savings project that would start as soon as the asbestos work is clear.

Fritz Feiten and Paul Ristow of Amersco Quantum, Inc., presented a list of energy saving measures that should save the district $12,000 a year in energy costs.

Measures range from installing new light fixtures and bulbs to replacing heat pumps and thermostats.

Feiten, Quantum's business development manager, said the project would cost an estimated $405,874. The district has received a state grant for $228,000 and would be responsible for paying the remaining $133,462.

Garrett said there are three possible ways to finance the project and he would make a recommendation at the board's May meeting.

The board authorized district Maintenance Superivsor Bob McClintock to prepare a scope of work for replacing the sewer line at Wendt Elementary.

"Almost monthly we have to call for sewer service," Garrett said.

McClintock said a television camera scan of the line showed at least six problem areas where the line is broken or failing.

One section was built in 1952 when the elementary school was constructed and has five breaks. A new section constructed with the 1963 expansion has little slope which creates some bellies in the line.

"We'll just continue to have problems if we don't replace it," McClintock said. He estimated the cost at $14,600.

The district has already replaced another old line which went down hill from the bus garage to join a business line on Main Street. That line was plugging, and the district located and installed a new line on a street right of way along the crest of the hill.

The board received several letters of resignation.

High school Principal Dan Casler is resigning after two years on the job.

"It's for family reasons," he said. "This is not a moment I like. It's been a very difficult decision for my family.

District Clerk JoAnne Nortrup is resigning after 30 years working in the district office.

Other resignations include high school track coach Mike Riley, who is starting a new business, middle school assistant track coach Beth Frink, and middle school football coach Lamar Blix.

Garrett reported enrollment, the basis for state apportionment funding, was 443.85 full time student equivalents (FTEs) in April. The district has averaged 438.88 FTEs for the year.

Garrett reported that he has notified the district's junior teacher and aide that their positions may not be funded next year.

However, he said the legislature's budget bill had no further cuts for schools.

The board voted to move its monthly meeting to the next to the last Tuesday of each month starting May 22, and Garrett reported that school will start next September after Labor Day.