NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD 309 will get several upgrades to its facilities after passing a $7.6 million bond this past spring. Some work in the school has started.
"We had already committed to beginning on the science rooms previously," said Superintendent Curtis Nightingale. "We were going to come out of capital outlay for that. That work has begun. I was actually in a construction meeting on Wednesday. They are cooking right through that. Our bonds should sell, and then we'll begin moving forward with the preliminary plans and getting drawings finalized and all that to get rolling. They are trying to time that, so they can do major work during the school breaks, so as to disrupt class as little as possible."
According to the district's bond project FAQ, there are several items to address in addition to the science room work. The bond sale is supposed to happen this week.
Roofing
Many of the current roofs have passed their lifespan and some are beginning to leak. The district plans to commit the necessary resources to get back to a manageable maintenance position on all the roofs to begin a systematic renovation or replacement on a fiscal timeline versus responding out of necessity each year.
Improving Secured Entrances
School security has become a critical issue in recent years. Beyond the obvious need to keep students and staff safe, the negative impact this can have on student learning, staff morale, and the public perception of a district when not addressed is of paramount importance.
The district plans to focus on specific areas:
Applying 3M Security Film to all perimeter doors at each facility.
The construction of an additional set of vestibule doors at three of the campuses will provide another layer of security to district buildings. This will allow staff to further determine the reason for the visit. The fourth campus will have its main entry relocated to provide a more visible entry to office staff.
Currently, once buzzed into the building, visitors have free-run. Staff has no way to control their movement. The secondary set of vestibule doors, creating a vestibule, can help to control this.
Nickerson High School
Secure Entrance - Construct a secondary set of doors to close off the current entryway in front of the office to control building access upon entry.
Renovate/Upgrade Restrooms - Renovating the two restrooms adjacent to the auditorium will give the district the opportunity to upgrade them for ADA accessibility, while also improving public access during events in the building.
Enlarge Auditorium Lobby - Extend the current auditorium lobby out under the existing overhang to provide more space for gathering following performances and events.
Auditorium and Stage Renovations - Not having had a renovation in decades, the auditorium is in need of work. The plan is to expand the usable space on the stage, update and improve curtains, lighting, and sound, update auditorium seating to include ADA-accessible seats, and add a chair lift to the stage, as well as other aesthetic improvements such as paint, carpet, and window treatments.
Nickerson Elementary School
Secure Entrance - Move the existing entrance over to the line of sight of the front office, closing off the existing one.
Renovate ADA Restrooms in the K/PreK - The current facilities are not adequate in space or type. This would allow students and staff to use those facilities as intended without having to seek out a different restroom in another part of the building.
Reno Valley Middle School
Secure Entrance - Construct a secondary set of doors to close off the current entryway in front of the office to control building access upon entry.
Renovate Existing Restrooms to ADA Compliance - Student restrooms on either end of the building will be brought up to current ADA accessibility requirements.
Replace Exterior Windows on the North and West Sides - Replace drafty and leaking windows with energy-efficient windows.
South Hutchinson Elementary School
Secure Entrance - Construct a secondary set of doors to close off the entryway in front of the office to control building access upon entry.
Two New Classrooms with ADA Accessible Restrooms - The addition of two new classrooms on the east side of the building will provide the ability to move students currently housed outside in the modular buildings into the main building.
The bond will cost an additional $9.99 per month on a $100,000 home.
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