Mid-Prairie to do $1.2 million improvements to district buildings

By Mary Zielinski
A Mid-Prairie elementary school, the middle school and the high school will get a total of $1.2 million improvements this year. The Mid-Prairie Board of Education Monday approved starting with replacing the chiller at Kalona Elementary School and, following a public hearing, approved a bid opening for 2 p.m. March 19. Contract for the project, with a total cost estimate of $133,200, is expected to be awarded March 23.
The two other projects–replacing all the roof at the middle school except the segment done in 1997, and a fully handicapped accessible elevator at the high school–also were approved. A public hearing on the projects is set for 8 p.m. March 9 at the high school. The roof project initially was estimated at $722,286, but could be nearer $300,000 since it is not the entire roof. The elevator cost is estimated at $325,00 and would see a new shaft for it built at the front of the high school.
“We have enough funds,” Superintendent Mark Schneider told the board Monday. Asked what would become of the old elevator at the high school, described as virtually a freight elevator, Schneider said it could taken out and the space used for storage.
Work on the chiller is expected to be done by August 7.
In other business, the board:

• received an update about the Kalona Elementary School playground resurfacing project. Phase 1, lower level playground ($46,324.83) was completed last August, and the committee is now looking at Phase II, large playground, with a $207,062 cost. The committee asked only that the board support the project as an idea, not with finances. Funds, to date, have included grants and fundraisers, one of which, the Kalona Rotary Club omelet breakfast, will be in May. Last year’s breakfast raised $3,300 for Phase I
• received a report about the Title I program that has a budget of $291,296, is in all three elementary schools and has parent involvement. Presenters emphasized that the program is very flexible to meet individual student needs
• received a brief report about the Wellman Elementary School building budget that has a current balance of $37,644. Classroom budgets are $200 each for supplies and $200 each for transportation