North Daviess searches for more space

By Nate Smith, Staff Writer

ELNORA — The trading spaces game continues at North Daviess, and now more pieces could be in play.

In the work session following the North Daviess School Board meeting on Monday, the board directed superintendent Robert Bell to help create a master list to identify space problems for both the junior-senior high school and the elementary school. The idea for the list was brought up by board President Darin Holder.

“Instead of adding space and adding buildings, we should look at all our options,” Holder said.

The issue stemmed from complaints that North Daviess athletic programs do not have enough space.

Earlier this fall, the board looked to fill in the high school pool to make more gymnasium space but opted not to after much debate. Monday, the board looked at other space issues such as more library room, storage space and room to house an auditorium.

“I’m not trying to divert a decision, but I want all the facts, and we will make a decision at some point,” Holder said.

Board member Bud Woodruff wanted to see creative ways to add space, saying space created for one school department could open space up for other departments.

“We do need that road map,” Woodruff said. “I just think we’re heading in a direction, but we don’t have a map.”

The pool, as of Monday, had two vents working that were taking care of the humidity and gases from the pool chemicals. Bell has been looking into prices from industrial contractors to paint the pool, for an average of $40,000. Estimated cost to renovate the pool area is $150,000.

After physical education classes are finished in the pool, the water will be drained to determine if leaks that cause the pool to lose 1/2 inch of water a day could be fixed. Bell said he does not want to spend a large amount of money on the pool.

Other than a petition presented in September, board members said there is not a lot of interest in the pool.

“We’ve been extremely blessed and lucky to do all the things we have been able to do,” Holder said. “I’m still having trouble determining how much interest is out there for the pool. It’s not being utilized to the extent that it can be utilized.”

A proposed gym that would have two courts and room for weights and locker rooms continued to be discussed. Bell is still looking into sketches of what that new gym could look like and will bring those back to the board. The estimated size of the gym would be 92 by 96 feet.

Another idea that came up during the work session was the possibility of creating an auditorium. Board member Rob Dove said an auditorium could be a great addition to the school and agreed that a master plan should happen.

“We have to listen to everything,” Dove said. “I hear my son say, ‘Athletics gets everything and we (music) don’t.’ We just can’t forget about them.”

Both Bell and junior-senior high school Principal Jed Jerrels said building an auditorium would be costly. Jerrels estimated the cost of building a 500-seat venue would be upwards of $5 million. Bell estimated it would be more like $1 to $1.5 million.

Bell said he will form a committee to look into a master plan.

The committee, Bell said, would have to get input from teachers, administrators and the general public.

More details would be available at the board’s Nov. 20 meeting.

In other business

NEW TECHNOLOGY

The board approved a request from technology director Todd Whitlock to purchase $70,000 of new equipment. The warranty on the telephone system, which was due to expire, was renewed at $19,000 for two years. To help keep the phones going in case of a blackout, a four-hour battery backup was purchased for $21,200.

The Language Arts Lab will get 30 new laptops for a total cost of $25,650, and a new server will be purchased at a cost of $4,214.

The money will come from the school’s capital projects fund.

“Initially, we were priced at a 10 percent discount for education, but we negotiated a 30 percent discount,” Whitlock said.

PERSONNEL

The board accepted the resignation of Marty Rebeck as boys varsity track coach.

The following basketball coaching appointments were approved: John Britton, fifth and sixth grade boys coach; Steve Lawyer and Rick Wittmer, fifth and sixth grade boys assistants; Tom Nugent, Jim Fisher and Scott Helms, fifth and sixth grade boys volunteer assistants; and Derik Birt, boys high school volunteer assistant.

BUS ROUTE

The bus route formerly owned by Jerry Christenberry was transferred in ownership to Sheila Lengacher. Christenberry had accepted a position with the post office, and the route was driven by substitute drivers until a driver could be found.

Lengacher met all requirements to drive the route, and the transfer was retroactively passed on Sept. 25.

FIELD TRIPS

Two field trips were approved by the board. The high school Beta Club will go to the state Beta Convention on Nov. 10-11.

The senior class trip to New York City over spring break was also approved for March 25-28. Although the trip was shortened from previous years, Jerrels said there is more planned than previously. Students will have to pay $350 for the trip.

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