Entries from May 2007
The planning group presented information obtained at the public meetings and thru surveys regarding rebuilding of Seneca Grade School / Nemaha Valley Junior High at a special board meeting this evening. Larry Kuckelman reported that 155 community and 45 staff surveys were returned.
The community surveys showed
- 5% favored of rebuilding PreK-8 at 709 Nemaha (Option 1)
- 12% favored splitting the schools between PreK-5 at 709 Nemaha and 6-8 south of high school (Option 2)
- 83% favoared building a K-8 facility south of the high school (Option 3)
When asked about an auditorium, the community surveys indicated
- 65% Yes
- 20% No
- 15% Not Sure
Thirty-one of the staff surveys were completed by staff associated with the grade school. Those surveys showed
- 10% favored rebuilding K-8 at 709 Nemaha (Option 1)
- None favored splitting the school (Option 2)
- 90% favored building K-8 south of the high school (Option 3)
The remaining staff surveys (14) were completed by NVHS staff. Those surveys indicated
- None favored rebuilding at 709 Nemaha (Option 1)
- 7% favored splitting the schools (Option 2)
- 93% favored building K-8 south of the high school (Option 3)
A majority of the staff supported the inclusion of an auditorium.
When all surveys are combined
- 6% Option 1 — K-8 at 709 Nemaha
- 9% Option 2 — K-5 at 709 Nemaha and 6-8 south of high school
- 85% Option 3 — K-8 south of high school
Based on the survey results, the planning group presented the board with three plans.
- Plan 1 — Build a PreK-8 facility south of high school with 45,000 to 50,000 square foot of space with available funds (no gymnasium and no auditorium)
- Plan 2 — Build a K-8 facility with a gymnasium south of high school and utilize a bond to help fund the project. Include an option for an auditorium
- Plan 3 — Build a K-8 facility with a gymnasium and auditorium south of high school and utilize a bond to help fund the project.
During discussion of the various plans, Mr. Harris (USD 442 Superintendent) indicated that he would have to check on the legality of having two questions on the same ballot.
Following the presentation, the board scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, June 6 at 7pm in the NVHS IDL room. The board will be meeting with the architect where they may provide direction on how to proceed.
Categories: 1938 · building · fire · grade school · nemaha valley · nvjh · rebuilding · seneca · sgs
A Seneca juvenile was detained on Monday on suspicion of arson. According to a press release from Nemaha County Attorney, Brad Lippert, a charge of Juvenile Offender Complaint was filed against the teen. Local law enforcement and fire officials participated in the investigation with the state fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
A hearing was held today to determine whether the juvenile would continue to be detained. According to radio reports, the court’s decision was to return the juvenile to his mother’s home and place him under house arrest.
Categories: Uncategorized
A new pile of debris appeared on the northeast corner of the grade school after floor tile was removed from the science classroom by B & R Insulation. They began removing asbestos from the 1938 structure on May 14th after receiving the contract for $64,452.
Categories: Uncategorized
On May 14, Superintendent Brian Harris told the school board that the district had reached a verbal settlement with EMC Insurance Company. The insurance company offered $4,989,908 plus architectural and engineering fees to be determined for the fire damage. The cost of rebuilding the East wall of the junior high wing will be paid out of this settlement.
In addition to the near 5 million dollar settlement, the district is receiving funds toward costs associated with the temporary locations, asbestos removal, debris removal, renovation of remaining classrooms, modular units, contents and personal items. The district is not receiving replacement cost for most of the contents since they are being depreciated.
Categories: Uncategorized
Superintendent Brian Harris reported at the May 14 school board meeting that a verbal settlement had been reached with EMC Insurance for the 1938 grade school building. EMC has offered $4,989,908 plus architectural and engineering fees to be determined. The architectural fees should range from $400,000 to $450,000. Out of this amount will come some of the costs to rebuild the gym wall next to the 1983 (former) junior high wing as part of the wall is considered the 1938 structure. The total settlement figures at $166 per square foot which is what the principal architect had estimated. Extra expenses not included in the settlement are costs to occupy temporary school locations, asbestos debris removal, renovation of the existing classrooms for reoccupancy, modular units, contents, and personal property. Principal architect, Keith Blackburn, was present at the meeting to update members on the progress at 709 Nemaha. The asbestos removal began on May 14 and will be complete on or before May 25. As soon as the asbestos removal is complete and passes inspection, demolition contractors will be given the opportunity to walk through the site and demolition bids will be accepted shortly thereafter. AHRS Construction has began repair work on the remaining classrooms. Mr. Blackburn said that work is still on schedule for the students to attend school beginning August 15. B & R Insulation, Lenexa, KS was awarded the bid for asbestos removal from the burn site in the amount of $64,452. Technology purchases for next school year were approved for next year. Included in the total of $146,572 were 21 new computers for the high school, new computers and fire replacement computers for the grade school. A teaching contract was approved for Jennifer Rusche as secondary language arts teacher beginning next school year. The athletic trainer contract for next school year was awarded to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital. Members voted to give the contents of the 1938 time capsule to the Nemaha County Historical Society for preservation and display. A special meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 23 beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the high school IDL lab classroom. Members of the public planning committee will report the results of the surveys returned for building and/or rebuilding options.
Categories: Uncategorized
capsule3Originally uploaded by nvteklib.
Last night’s benefit dinner and auction concluded with the opening of the time capsule from the Seneca Grade School’s cornerstone. As each item was removed from the time capsule, Mr. Harris or Dr. Beck described the item to the audience. Many of the items contained names of local citizens in 1938. The signatures of the students of Seneca Public Schools in February 1938 were contained in the time capsule. Participating in the event were three members of the 4th grade class from 1938.
Categories: 1938 · benefit · building · donations · education foundation · fire · grade school · nemaha valley · nvjh · pto · seneca · sgs · time capsule
P1010004
Originally uploaded by nvteklib.
Nemaha Valley’s gym and commons area was full Sunday afternoon and evening as the community came out in rainy weather to support the Benefit Dinner and Auction sponsored by the Educational Foundation and PTO. Over 500 tickets were sold in advance for the smoked pork chop dinner.
Categories: benefit · education foundation · fire · grade school · nemaha valley · nvjh · seneca · sgs
Over 60 people attended the first public meeting held by the planning group to discuss the building/rebuilding of Seneca Grade School and Nemaha Valley Junior High School in Kelly this morning. Background information regarding the remaining property and estimated square footage building costs were presented. This was followed by explanation of the three build/rebuild options including the pros and cons for each option. Questions were welcomed from the audience during the presentation and a question/answer period was held after the presentation. Surveys were distributed to those in attendance. Everyone in the community is encouraged to complete a survey.
If you were not able to attend today’s meeting, plan to attend a similar meeting at 8 pm Wednesday in the Nemaha Valley High School commons.
Categories: 1938 · building · fire · grade school · nemaha valley · nvjh · rebuilding · seneca · sgs
