2007-2008 Plans Finalized

Nemaha Valley Schools
April 26 Special Meeting

Nemaha Valley school board members gathered for a special meeting on Thursday, April 26 to approve the final plans for classroom locations for next school year.  Dr. Amy Beck, SGS/NVJH principal, presented plans for grades K-8 classrooms beginning 2007-08 and thereafter until a permanent facility or facilities is built.  The plan calls for grades K through 5 to occupy the remaining classrooms at 709 Nemaha plus two pre-owned modular units which will be placed one to the north and one to the south of the remaining building.  Grades six through eight will occupy one large pre-owned unit which will house the core subjects – Math, Social Studies, Science and English.  A smaller pre-owned unit will also be used for the 6-8 special education classes and 6th grade Reading, Basic Skills and Math.  These two units will be placed south of the high school.  Junior high students will also use the high school building for lunch, physical education and a few classes that will be taught by high school staff.  Athletic practice schedules were presented dividing time in the two gyms between junior high and high school teams. 

Mr. Harris presented a summary of the lease costs for the modular units which will be covered 100% by insurance.  If the occupancy is for 18 months, the total cost will be $263,417 or 24 months, $297,659.  These prices do not include one time costs such as delivery, set-up, skirting, tear down costs, and hook-up to electrical and sewer.  Delivery will occur in June and July.
       
Superintendent Harris also provided the latest information for the demolition of the 1938 structure.  A contract will be signed the first week of May with a firm to remove the asbestos and that removal will take place between May 14 and May 25.  Final demolition will occur after the asbestos is removed. Mr. Harris stated that he was given the approval from the insurance company to release the figure of $4.6 million as the minimum settlement on the 1938 building.  This figure may be adjusted upward following more discussion between the insurance adjustor and architect.  The $4.6 million does not include demolition, excess costs (modular units), reoccupancy costs (repair of remaining building), contents and computer equipment. 
       
The board approved a plan to compensate K-8 staff members for additional work throughout the summer to prepare for next year due to the loss of lesson plans and textbooks in the fire. Also approved was the purchase of new textbooks to replace those lost in the fire. Amy Beck explained the textbook selection process that had recently been completed by the K-8 staff members. The insurance company will cover part of the replacement costs as books will be depreciated up to 50% based upon age.  Dr. Beck explained that two or three companies had donated textbooks after the fire and most of those will be utilized for the future textbook needs. 
       
All certified personnel were approved for the 2007-08 school year. Summer school teachers were also approved.  Carla Meyer and Shelly Schmelzle will teach grades K-8 at the Bowman Building.  Carrie Kohake was approved as the 7-12 summer school teacher and Dirk Colgrove will teach summer band.  Jeff Koch will teach driver education along with Connie Ronnebaum.
       
The dismissal time for students on the last day of school, Wednesday, May 23, was changed from 1:30 to 11:45.  No lunches will be served that day. 
      

Countering CJ Article

 (April 30, 2007) Statement in response to the Topeka Capital Journal article on April 27, 2007

U.S.D. 442 had no prior contact from either the Topeka Capital Journal or the Kansas State Fire Marshall’s office before the article about the cause of the fire was printed. It has been weeks since we have had any contact with any fire investigator about the fire. I recall being told by an investigator that the cause of the fire was “undetermined.” We were also left with the impression that no physical evidence could be found to prove that the fire was intentionally set. The school district has not been given any new information from any source about the cause of the fire. For us to comment beyond these facts would not be appropriate.

(April 27, 2007) Statement from Brian Harris, Superintendent: 

In today’s Topeka Capital – Journal is an article about a Nemaha Valley student being under investigation for setting the fire at SGS/NVJH. First, neither Dr. Beck nor I know anything about the source of this article nor the validity. We have not been given any new information by the Fire Marshall’s office since the fire. When the fire inspector on the scene left the fire he told us two things. First, the cause of the fire was undetermined. Second, that while the case would remain open he could find no evidence that the fire was set intentionally. This is all that we know.

I have attached an updated timeline on the fire recovery. Asbestos removal in the debris has complicated demolition but not the work to reoccupy the newer additions by fall. The two are not directly connected. The debris will be removed between May 14 and May 25. The actual demolition of the shell of the 1938 building will there-fore not begin until early summer. But all demolition will be done well before we are scheduled to reoccupy the newer additions.

• Dad: Son Focus of Fire Probe (Topeka Capital Journal)
• Student Questioned in Seneca Fire (WIBW)
• Polygraph Approval Revoked (Topeka Capital Journal)
• Seneca School Responds to Angry Father (WIBW)

Asking Hard Questions

Educational

• What is the philosophical difference between a middle school and a high school?
• How does the “culture” of a K-8 building differ from a K-5/6-8 configuration?
• In which configuration would Seneca’s youth best develop mentally, emotionally and socially?
• Middle School Information:
  • Middle School (on Answers.com)
  • Middle School(Wikipedia)
  • National Middle School Association

Infrastructure

• If a middle school is built near the high school, what existing facilities could be shared by the high school and middle school. 
• Taking into consideration that the primary grades will need an indoor area for physical education and recess, how many gymnasiums will be necessary?
• If a K-8 building is constructed south of the high school, how could the useable portions of the grade school be used?

Auditorium

• If an auditorium is built, how many people should it seat?
• What community events and/or organizations would utilize an auditorium if one was available?
• Would an auditorium enable the community to sponsor events it currently can’t sponsor due to the lack of an auditorium?
• How much parking would be needed near an auditorium?

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

PUBLIC MEETINGS ON BUILDING SET

• Sunday    May 6      11:15 am       St. Bede’s Church basement     Kelly
• Wed.        May 9        8:00 pm      NVHS Commons                        Seneca 

The Public Planning Group established by the U.S.D. 442 Board of Education has set two meetings to receive public input toward the building or rebuilding alternatives following the fire that destroyed the 1938 building of Seneca Grade School / Nemaha Valley Junior High on March 10^th.

On Sunday, May 6, at 11:15 a.m. a public meeting will be held in the basement of St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. A similar meeting will be held in Seneca on Wednesday, May 9, 8:00 p.m., at the Commons of Nemaha Valley High School. At these meetings the public will have the opportunity to express opinions and to have questions answered. A survey will be available at these meetings for interested persons to answer. Meetings are also being scheduled with school staff.

Three building alternatives have been identified by the U.S.D. 442 Board of Education for public discussion. These alternatives follow.

1. Rebuild pre-kindergarten to 8^th grade on the current site with code upgrades.
2. Rebuild a pre-kindergarten to 5^th grade facility on the current site and a middle school, grades 6 -8, connected or close to Nemaha Valley High School.
3. Build a pre-kindergarten -8^th grade facility south of  Nemaha Valley High School on property recently purchased by U.S.D. 442. This alternative would include consideration of the use of the newer additions that were saved and are useable. These additions are valued at over $3.5 million.

In addition, the consideration of an auditorium can be added to any of the three major alternatives.

The Board of Education had earlier this year decided to begin a pre-school for 2007-2008 but decided to delay this program for one year due to the fire and the recovery. However, it is anticipated that the district will begin a pre-school in 2008-2009.

Following the public meetings, the Public Planning Group will summarize public opinion and present this to the Board of Education at a special meeting in late May. Following this information the Board of Education will provide direction to the architectural firm of Horst, Terrill, and Karst of what alternative to develop plans and cost estimates.

Depending upon the insurance settlement and the building plans wanted by the public, a bond issue will probably be needed to cover the full cost of the recovery.

Comments posted on this blog will be forwarded to the planning group.

Dancin’ for a Cause

Last Wednesday, Brian Harris, superintendent, and Dr. Amy Beck, Seneca Grade School principal traveled to Iola, Kansas to visit Iola Middle School. The middle school students had sponsored a “Dance-a-thon” to raise money for the students of Seneca Grade and Nemaha Valley Junior High. Over 200 students spent all night dancing to raise over $6,000. Wednesday, they presented Mr. Harris and Dr. Beck with a check and a white board and poster which the participants had signed.

• Iola Kids Dance for Seneca Students Affected by Fire (WIBW)
• Video of presentation(WIBW)
• Fire Stirs Iola Students to Dance(CJ Online)
• IMS Dances up $6000 (Iola Register)

Donations Pour In

On Wednesday, Dr. Amy Beck (prinicipal) and Brain Harris (Superintendent) will travel to Iola to receive a check for $6,000 raised by the Iola Middle School by dancing all night (Iola Register). During the past month schools from around the state have been collecting pennies anddonated items or sponsoring fund raisers for the students of Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley Junior High School displaced by the March 10th fire.

In Basehor, the students at Glenwood Ridge Elementary held a penny war (Basehor Sentinel) – an activity that Nemaha Vally High students have used to raise money for afterprom. In a penny war, pennies count toward a class while nickels, dimes, quarters and all bills count against a class. The 1st graders proofed their finesse at math by winning the Glenwood Ridge penny war with a balance of -29.28. The second graders did their part by capturing $440.23 in their jar — but evidently didn’t have enough pennies to balance their negative votes. In total, the penny war netted $1,639.27.

The Union Valley Panthers raised $697.55 with their “Change for Change” (Hutchinson News) fundraiser. In neighboring Hutchinson, the Wiley Elementary School (Hutchinson News) raised $466.42.

News Coverage of the various fundraisers

• KAKE TV — Hutch Kids Raise Money for Seneca Schools   [video]
• WIBW — Hutchinson Kids Collect Cash for Seneca Elementary
• MSNBC – Kids Raise Cash for School that Burned
• KSNT – Kids Raise Cash for School that Burned
• 49ABCNews Video - Hutchinson Younsters Help Out Fellow Students Whose School Burned 

 To date, over $46,000 has been donated to a fund established for the students and staff at Seneca Grade School / Nemaha Valley High School.

Benefit Run/Walk

On April 7th, the Seneca Downtown Impact, Inc. sponsored a Family 5K Run/Walk thru the community of Seneca to benefit the teachers of Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley Junior High School. Over $4,000 was raised by this event.

• 5K Run/Walk was a great success

Farewell to 1938

by Dr. Amy Beck

 

Good morning, students teachers, parents, and support staff.
Welcome to Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley Junior High.
Today is Thursday, April 12, 2007.

 

I am sure the students and staff sitting before me today recognize those words. This is how we began every day at Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley Junior High for the past six years. Each day as soon as the 8:00 bell would ring, two students would greet everyone in the building over the intercom system. The morning announcers then would share the weather forecast, the lunch menu, announce students celebrating birthdays, and report other important daily events occurring in the building. Finally, we would conclude Morning Announcements with everyone in the school standing to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. We were all under one roof and we started our day together. It was a beautiful way to begin each day in a beautiful building.

 

Today marks the first day since the fire that I have the honor of having all my students and staff together once again so I had to do the morning greeting one least time this school year. We now find ourselves spread out in different places throughout the city of Seneca and we are all learning new morning routines.

 

As I visit with the students at the various school sites, I have had many of them tell me they missing hearing the announcements, that they miss coming to my office for their birthday treats, that they miss the gym, the library, the lunchroom, the classrooms; they miss their football cards they had stored in their lockers, they miss the playground, they missing seeing their brothers and sisters in the halls.  We miss being together. We miss our school. We miss the traditions we established.

 

I know that many of you today hold deep connections to the building on 709 Nemaha Street. Throughout the past several weeks as I visit with people, I am always happy to hear about stores that they recall happening in this building. I hear there were New Year’s Dances and Fireman’s Ball Dances; the Harlem Globetrotters played here in the 40’s. Indeed, there is hardly a person that I talk with that does not have some connection to this building. Throughout the 69 years this building has stood in the city of Seneca, many people had the pleasure of walking its halls and enjoying its great beauty. And it was a beautiful, grand building with its limestone inlays, red clay tiled roof and shining terrazzo floors. It was a building that we were all proud of and a building that was well taken care of for 69 years.

 

There are many sad people because we lost more than a building; we lost our friend. As time passes, the hurt continues to grow. The staff and I considered Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley Junior High as our second home. We spent so much time in this building…we spent time helping your children to learn; we spent time laughing with your children; we spent time comforting your children. We spent time as a staff working with one another to create a quality school environment. 

I am learning just how resilient and excellent our staff truly is… we are fortunate to have this staff and I have complete confidence in their abilities to carry us through this overwhelming obstacle and to care for your children and to provide a quality education that your children deserve. In fact, there’s not a doubt in my mind that we will emerge stronger and better than ever.

 

Our building has always had the tradition of educational excellence. Our students excel on standardized assessments and Kansas Assessments, and we have many programs in place to ensure our success.  We have Guided Reading, Title I, Special Education Services, Project Success Tutoring Program, Counseling Services, Full Day Kindergarten, an Interactive Distance Learning Lab where our students literally can connect to the world, an up to date computer lab, plus a wireless mobile lab for our junior high students and most importantly, a building full of dedicated, competent, and caring staff members. In 2006 we had a teacher recognized as Kansas Teacher of the Year Finalist and another teacher earned the Kansas Horizon Award in 2007. Yes, excellence in education has always been the way we do things, and I can assure you, it will be the way we continue to do things.

 

Instead of being sad and full of despair, I am choosing to be hopeful. I ask that you do the same. The events of this past month have deepened my faith in the home, school, and community connection. The number of people to thank is endless… We have proven that by working together we can achieve amazing results. As you look at the ruin and destruction behind me, it is easy to be sad. However, I am choosing to be hopeful.

 

I am hopeful about the future. We have wonderful students, wonderful teachers and support staff, a superintendent and board of education who truly cares about kids, and a community full of support. As we say goodbye to Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley Junior High on 709 Nemaha Street, I ask that you maintain the hope with me as we look toward our future.

 

We have been fortunate to have Mr. Harris leading us through this difficult journey. He has always maintained the focus on what is important, the students. And now, I ask that you join me and welcome the Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Brian Harris.

At the end:

The final sentence of Morning Announcements each day after the flag salute would be:  “Thank you.  Make your day count and make it a blank one.” The students would pick which adjective they would like in the blank.  Today the appropriate adjective is hopeful. So, “Thank you.  Make your day count and make it a hopeful one.”

• Farewell to Our School