Community members hear possible updates to school district buildings

About two dozen community members, educators and board members gathered Aug. 26 in the Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School Commons to hear a presentation about the needs for Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo USD 327.

“I was hoping to get some feedback from you this evening,” Superintendent Deena Hilbig said.

Maria Kutina from HTK Architects, Topeka, presented an overview of the needs assessement evaluation.

Hilbig started explaining about the money used for capital improvements over the past five years, which averages $950,000 per year.

“I’m really excited. In the four years since I’ve been here, we had things we knew needed attention right away that we could see,” she said. “There are a lot of things we can’t see. The infrastructure. Being able to have the board focus on a needs assessment — someone who is qualified to do that — it ensures the fact that we’re making decisions that will impact the future for the kids, not putting a Band-Aid on things.”

Kutina presented specifics to the board in July, and shared the same information with attendees.

Outlined improvements include:

• Ellsworth Elementary School: about $1 million

• Kanopolis Middle School: $1.24 million

• Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School: around $5 million (including about $772,000 worth of improvements for athletics) • District office: $182,000 “We’re in the vision/ master plan stage,” Kutina said. “We have the information, we’re putting ideas together to get ideas of what are the next steps.”

Louis Weishaar from HTK Architects contributed to the presentation.

“We’re looking at condition of floors, ceilings, walls. We’re doing quantitative data. The ages of HVAC units, age of the roof, programming, technology, student feelings, how they use the space,” he said. “Students learn in different ways. They may need a different chair or different ways to absorb information. Classroom space may need to be bigger than 50-60 years ago.”

Following the presentation, those assembled broke into smaller groups to discuss five questions:

• What is your favorite thing about usd 327?

• In your opinion, what are the three greatest facility needs?

• What does the community see as the greatest need?

• What will be the biggest challenge moving forward?

• What surprised you tonight?

Feedback focused on infrastructure, such as HVAC, and maintaining the district’s current facilities.

Community members also supported ensuring each attendance center has a secure front door.

Kutina pointed out the entrance to EES has a buzzer to enter, but the guest does not have to go through the office before entering the building, as they do at EJSHS. The issue is similar at KMS.

“One option could be to move the entrance,” she said about KMS. “There are lots of ways to do that (add a secure entrance) without adding square footage.”

Kitchens in each schools were also discussed. One attendee asked if kitchen improvements across the district were essential, because all meals are currently prepared at EJSHS.

Hilbig said it is “if we wanted to improve food quality instead of sit in warmers.”

She said OPAA!, with whom the district contracts food service, said it could adjust and cook on-site in each building with appropriate kitchens.

“We’re looking at commercial grade equipment,” Hilbig said.

Additionally, she pointed out the buildings are also offering breakfast as well as snacks. When each building was built, the meal offerings were different.

“I was hoping for a bit of a bigger crowd, but this is a great start,” Hilbig said.

The superintendent said she will meet with several groups in the county and decide if a future community meeting is necessary.

“There are a lot of things we can’t see. The infrastructure. Being able to have the board focus on a needs assessment — someone who is qualified to do that — it ensures the fact that we’re making decisions that will impact the future for the kids, not putting a Band-Aid on things.”

Deena Hilbig

USD 327 Superintendent