Henning to move forward with roof project
News | Published on March 26, 2024 at 4:13pm EDT | Author: henningmaster
0By Chad Koenen
Publisher
An expansive summer building project just got a little bigger at Henning School.
During its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, the Henning School Board approved moving forward with replacing the two remaining sections of the 1995 roof at the school. The two portions of the roof were not included in the overall scope of this summer’s HVAC, parking lot and roof project, but will be added to the project as that portion of the roof has begun to fail.
According to Nathan Norton, of ICS, the 1995 section of the roof is the oldest roof left on the building and has begun to leak in several spots. The school district could either replace the roof this summer as part of the large school building project, or wait to complete it at a later time. Should the school board elect to do the latter, Norton said that construction companies would need to find alternative ways to access that portion of the roof since it is higher and not easily accessible. He said the new roof will come with a 35 year warranty.
“It would get rid of all of your ‘95 roof,” he said.
Norton also told the board that every time a leak is discovered the cost to fix the leak is approximately $1,000. Adding to the urgency in approving the project, Norton said the roofer who bid the project said there would be a 7 percent price increase if the material was not delivered by May 15.
The cost to replace the 1995 portion of the roof was estimated to be $389,479.
In order to fund the project, business manager Rudy Martinez said the school district will lower the contingency being held back as part of the project from 6 percent to 4 percent. The school district will also utilize interest generated from project proceeds from the HVAC project that have yet to be distributed to contractors.
Martinez said even after lowering the contingency to just 4 percent of the overall project cost, the Henning School District will have about $145,000 left over from expected revenues and expenses in the project. That is in addition to the 4 percent contingency funding in the project.
“In a perfect world with no surprises, no change order and expected costs,” he said of revenues from the projected compared to expenses.
He warned the school board that the contingency, as well as the additional $145,000 left over from the project are just projected numbers. He said items may come up when the project begins that will need to be replaced and repaired. In that case the contingency funds and project proceeds will be utilized.
After a brief discussion over whether 4 percent was enough of a cushion with a contingency plan, the school board approved adding the remaining portion of the 1995 to the scope of this summer’s project.
In addition to the roof project, Henning School Superintendent Melissa Sparks discussed a preliminary plan to make the activities entrance more prominent in the front of the school. She said the plan is only preliminary and presented three options to the school board for its input.
Sparks said there has been some confusion expressed in the past regarding what entrance the public should use when attending extracurricular activities at the school. The three options included adding an additional pitch to the roof and a sign on the building and front of the school saying activities entrance to adding additional lighting, as well as signs on the school.
School board members said they would need to see a cost to adding letters to the building, adding lighting and a sign before making a final decision. Several school board members said it can be very dark near the school entrance at night, which could be a safety hazard before and after activities.
In other news
• Accepted the following donations: $100 from Astera Health for summer rec/swimming lessons, $100 from BigFoot Gas and Grocery for summer rec/swimming lessons and $350 from Valley Ridge Grains for summer rec/swimming lessons.
• Accepted the resignation/retirement from paraprofessionals Chris Maland, Lisa Nygaard and MaryLynn Borchardt.
• Approved an engagement letter with Brady Martz for the year ending on June 30, 2024 audit as presented.
• Approved the technology service agreement with Freshwater Education District.
• Heard Bertha-Hewitt School will allow the Henning School District to utilize their ’53 gym for the summer for a small rental charge. The Henning School gyms will be under construction this summer part of an expansive HVAC and construction project. The school district will also move the weight room equipment to the bus garage to utilize throughout the summer months.
• Heard the summer food program will be held as planned this summer and food will be served at the baseball field like it had in the past. The school district has been forced to change a number of summer offerings due to the upcoming building project at the school.
• Heard the Henning Elementary students will host Ninja Anywhere on May 15. The program will provide an end-of-the-year event that is being funded with the school’s Adopt a Classroom and Title IV funding. The mission of Ninja Anywhere is to provide healing, life-giving and empowering activities. Sparks said the program features a number of climbing walls and courses that are similar to the TV show American Ninja Warrior.