Total school project to cost just over $5.4 million

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The Henning School will undergo an extensive remodeling project next summer that will include a new HVAC system, fire suppression system and a new roof on the portion of the school. The Henning School Board recently received a more firm grasp on the overall cost and scope of the project, which came in just under the estimated project budget.

During its regularly scheduled meeting last week, the Henning School Board accepted the bids for next summer’s extensive school building project. The bids for the project, which was broken down into seven different work scopes, will total $5,415,117.27. That is approximately $131,000 below the proposed budget.

Nathan Norton, of ICS, said the bids for the project ranged from the awarded bids to $1.8 million more than the low bids. There were a total of 23 bids received for the overall school building project. 

To give contractors enough time to complete the project, school will be let out a week early this spring. The final day of school will be May 16 and high school graduation will be held May 17, 2024. 

In other news

• Accepted the following donations: $80 from Neal and Terry Oscarson, $100 from Alexis Krebs, $250 from the Henning Lions Club and $100 from Scott McDonald. 

• Approved the hiring of Anika Miller as a part-time paraprofessional.

• Accepted the resignation of Kevin Greenwaldt.

• Approved the hiring of Brendan Hart as assistant wrestling coach.

• Heard an update on the Read Act from Henning School Superintendent Melissa Sparks, which was signed into law in May by Governor Tim Walz. The Read Act replaces the Read Well by Third Grade Act. As part of the new act, students are expected to read at their grade level and not just read well by third grade. 

• Accepted the annual Worlds Best Workforce report as presented by school district staff.