Logan schools' facility plan may contain security upgrades

Improvements to Logan Municipal Schools’ security and science labs look likely when the district updates its facility master plan for the next five years.

Paul Aguilar of Consolidated School Support Services told the school board during its regular meeting April 10 that initial survey results of teachers, staff and community members indicate they want those upgrades, especially with school security in the wake of mass shootings.

Aguilar said the campus is vulnerable to intrusions, especially the front entrance because of the lack of views from the inside of approaching people.

Survey results also indicated the district’s science laboratories are “not functional” and need improvements.

Aguilar said the playing surface of the football field is “unsafe” and could be replaced with artificial turf for an estimated $765,000. Bleachers on the visitor’s side also need to be replaced or repaired.

In all, Aguilar estimated the district totals about $2.3 million in needs, which roughly matches its bonding capacity.

The school board ultimately will rank its priorities for the facilities master plan, which serves as a road map for future spending of capital outlay allocations and other funding. Aguilar said a draft could be presented to the board by July, with final action in August.

Superintendent Dennis Roch noted if the state waives matching funds, the district might be able to spend up to $3 million on various projects.

Aguilar said the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bonding Act might make no-interest bonds available so the district could install LED lighting and replace HVAC systems and windows. He said such a strategy might work well with Logan because it is in a high-cash position.

Aguilar said the district’s tax rates are stable, with steady increase in property valuations. He said renewable energy production in the district might bring more revenue, as well.

He also said the oldest building on campus dates to 1932 but is in good shape.

In other business:

— The board approved adoption of textbooks for the 2023-2024 school year.

Roch said elementary staff recommended new materials from Savvas Learning Company (formerly Pearson K-12 Learning) because they reinforce literacy skills.

Middle-school staff recommended that textbooks replaced during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic be kept but replace outdated government and economics texts.

Addressing possible concerns about social justice issues, Rich said the new text “doesn’t appear to be biased.”

— The board approved salary schedules for the 2023-2024 school year. Teachers will receive a base pay of $53,000, $63,000 or $73,000 on Level 1, 2 and 3 certification respectively.

Non-certified staff such as aides will be paid $25,000, with significant state-mandated raises for maintenance, clerical and secretarial staff.

— The board approved revisions to the 2023-2024 school calendar. Because of an earlier-than-expected Quay County Fair on Aug. 7-8, Logan will start the school year a few days earlier. Staff also requested a longer Christmas break. School days still will start at an earlier 7:45 a.m. to allow for more state-mandated instruction time.

— The board approved an addendum to the district’s transportation contract to add rental fees for a new school bus recently acquired.

— The board set two special meetings for 4 p.m. April 25 and 4:30 p.m. April 28 for a public meeting and approval respectively for the district’s annual budget. The meetings were necessary due to a May 1 deadline to submit the budget to the state.