Barnum faces looming staffing, building needs

On top of a pandemic, the Barnum school board is looking at a challenging 2022, with top administrators leaving and an $8 million decision on school maintenance coming fast.

During the regular meeting Tuesday, Feb. 15, the board held a lengthy discussion about replacing administrative staff that have left or are leaving.

The board approved the resignation of Judy Vitito, the former elementary principal, effective Jan. 7, at the meeting of the board Jan. 18, and Mike McNulty, superintendent, effective June 30. Gregg Campbell, the former high school principal, took a leave of absence last summer and resigned effective Dec. 21. Jodi Fanth is now the interim high school principal.

Fanth and superintendent McNulty are filling in performing the elementary principal's duties.

It was decided, by a motion, that the full-time positions of one principal and superintendent be posted for a one-year contact. Deans of students have been appointed for both the elementary and high school. The dean is part-time in the high school and full-time in the elementary.

Projects tabled for now

The board tabled action on resolutions to proceed with certain projects not to exceed $8,320,000 and issue general obligation bonds for the projects until they had more information.

ICS has been engaged to work with the school district on a 10-year plan to complete the projects.

The board had approved specific maintenance projects, totaling over $8 million, in a special meeting Dec. 7. Several of the items will be funded by bonding for health and safety, which does not require a vote by school district property owners. Other projects would be covered by annual funding from the state for long-term facilities maintenance.

The projects in the elementary school include replacement of a cooler for the kitchen, indoor air quality improvements and partial roof replacement.

In the high school, the projects include improving indoor air quality, new high-efficiency boilers and heating system, roof replacement on the oldest section, updating the fire alarm system, adding handicap access at Entrance No. 7, and new energy-efficient lighting.

Voters had turned down a building referendum in 2014 and an operating levy in 2012.

Natalie Hoff of ICS explained the process to the board.

“We’ve developed a draft of a 10-year plan with the assumption that the school district will be receiving $258,000 in Long-Term Facilities Maintenance Funds each year,” she said. “But the funding is not enough for the boiler and roof needs. The boiler is 40 years old and parts are hard to find. There would be savings by replacing the boiler with a new high-efficiency heating system.”

Hoff showed a plan on a spreadsheet that listed the projects each year over the 10-year period and the funds needed each year. The projects included replacing the floor in a couple of classrooms in the elementary school each year, updating the high school locker room, and repairing and refinishing the gym floor in the high school.

“The whole plan has to be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Education and receive approval before it can go forward,” Hoff told the board.

Chip Jacobs explained two types of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems that are new to schools.

Hoff explained that the staff for each portion of the project would be involved in planning the upgrade process.

“We will also get the engineers, design team and architects involved,” she said. “The projects will go out for open bids in the fall.”

ICS was hired, after a request for proposals had been sent out, for $13,500, said Hoff.

“You have a high-quality group that oversees the project,” she said. “The projects will be done per code and per law. We’ll also be managing the bids, assisting with state regulations, construction management, site services and warranty oversight.”

A 10-percent contingency fee is included in the budget but another 10-percent fee could also be included, if the board would feel more comfortable with that, said Hoff. That would add another $800,000 to the project, but any funds left over could be returned to the taxpayers. The board didn’t support adding the extra $800,000, according to McNulty.

Matt Hamner of Ehlers, the financial advisory team, explained the tax impact for bonding.

Based on bonding for $8,020,000, taxes are actually estimated to increase by $8 in 2022 and $91 in 2023 on a $150,000 property. Starting with 2024, taxes are estimated to stay at the 2023 levels for the remaining term of the bond issue.

“There is a lot of volatility in the market right now,” said Hamner. “This assumes that the bonds will be closed in May. We will try and get the best interest rate.”

The board will be sharing information about the plans with the school district residents as soon as possible before the board votes on the plan at the board meeting March 15.

Teachers deserve more

A group of teachers and parents spoke to the school board about the importance of retaining teachers by offering them a fair salary increase to reward them for their hard work and to allow them to keep up with inflation and health care costs.

Paula Williams said she worked in the classroom with the teachers for six years.

“I saw what teachers give day in and day out. It’s much worse now. I’m here tonight to ask that our teachers are paid what they deserve because it is the smart thing to do. It is easier than ever to find a job these days and many teachers have left the profession.”

The working meeting of the board has been set for Tuesday, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium, and the regular school board meeting has been set for Tuesday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Editor’s note: This story was edited after publication to reflect a lower bond figure and tax impact. It is also a longer version of the story that appeared in the print issue of the Feb. 18 Pine Knot News.