HVAC project to be finished in time for school

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

The expansive Henning School building project is right on track, at least that was the message the Henning School Board received last week.

During its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night, the Henning School Board heard an update on the school building project from Nathan Norton of ICS. Norton said the project continues to be moving right along and should be completed on time. Following the meting, the school board took a tour of the school to see its progress first-hand.

Prior to the meeting, Henning School Superintendent Melissa Sparks said the project has went well so far, especially considering the scope of work that will need to be completed in one summer.

“It’s really coming along good. Of course the weather plays into it a little bit with the roof, but when they are working they are really working,” she said.

While much of the roof has already been completed and the sidewalk along Marshall Ave. has been repaired, inside the building is where a bulk of the work is being completed. Sparks said the duct work inside the building has been going well and some of the classrooms already have new lights and the ceiling grid has been put in place. The elementary windows are all framed up and the cleaners are on standby beginning August 15 to get the building back in shape for the start of the school year.

“Luckily for us all of the equipment has been ordered and delivered on time,” said Sparks. “So far we are on track to be done (on time).”

That being said, Sparks said the HVAC and building project is an expansive one to complete in just one summer, even if school was let out early last spring and will start a week late in the fall. That extra time has been key in getting much of the work done in an efficient manner.

“It is a huge project and to do it in one summer is a big undertaking,” she said. “The extra two weeks is helping in a project this size.”

In other news

• Heard that summer rec wrapped up the week of July 8. This year there were 24 students in t-ball, 16 students in toss ball, 27 students in boys baseball and 17 students in girls softball. There were also 34 students who participated in swimming lessons. 

• Heard the volleyball team will practice at Sebeka High School for the opening two weeks of practice, before transitioning to another facility which could include the PACC in Perham for practice. Sparks said the numbers look good and are approaching the most participants that head coach Kristy Finck has had in her 15 years in Henning. As of last spring, a total of 12 girls in seventh grade, 11 girls in eighth grade, 10 girls in ninth grade, six girls in 10th grade, 11 girls in 11th grade and one girl in 12th grade have signed up for volleyball. 

• Heard from Henning Principal Thomas Williams that the school district is starting to have increased traffic on student enrollment as families are enrolling in the school district. The numbers look steady at this point as a few families have said they are moving out of the school district. 

• Acknowledged the following donations: Saint Paul and MN Foundation-Espeland Family Foundation for $20,000 for the Pages for a Purpose program, $1,000 from the Ottertail Lions Club for summer rec, $15.80 from Casey’s General Store for a loyalty donation, $1,000 from the Parkers Prairie Sportmen’s Club for Pages for a Purpose, $750 from the American Red Cross for a Henning High School Scholarship and $3,000 from Otter Tail Power Company for Pages for a Purpose.