Tribune photo by Carol Bronson
Dr. Glen Davis (right) led a tour of the new Pratt High School prior to the USD 382 Board of Education meeting. Participants included (from left) Suzan Davis, director of curriculum, BOE members Michael Westerhaus and Kim Stivers, Tom Harrison, news director at KMMM radio, BOE member Margo Laubhan, USD 382 teacher Paula Blasi, Ron Miller and wife Teresa Miller, BOE member.New PHS almost ready for students!
by Carol Bronson
July 17, 2008
General contractor Key Construction, Inc. is projecting an Aug. 8 completion date for the new Pratt High School. A four-week look ahead schedule provided to USD 382 Board of Education members on Monday indicates that most jobs will be completed by the end of July, with finishing the already-laid gym floor and testing and balancing mechanics left for August.
Superintendent Glen Davis is a bit more guarded.
“I feel pretty confident they’re going to get the building completed by the 15th of August (the first day of school),” he said. “The stumbling block will be the inspection by the state fire marshal and the punch lists.”
Punch lists are created by architects and indicate areas of work that are unsatisfactory or not completed.
“We have to be able to utilize the lunchroom by Day 1,” Davis continued.
Much of the kitchen equipment has been delivered and some installed. Tile has been laid in the commons area where the students will eat, but it is not yet grouted.
The second critical date will be Sept. 20, Davis said. The entire building must be occupied by that date for the district to qualify for the maximum amount of state new facilities funds.
“I’m very comfortable with that date,” he said.
The building cannot be occupied until it is cleared by the fire marshal’s office. Key officials have made contact, Davis said, but several districts are completing building projects this summer and also want to be inspected before school starts.
Students could report for classes on the first day at the present Pratt High and be involved in the moving process when the new building is ready. Davis predicted that with everybody working, the students helping and some assistance from civic organizations that have volunteered, much of the classroom equipment could be moved in a couple of days.
In the regular Board of Education meeting that followed Monday’s
tour, Kenton Ladenburger was elected as president for 2008-09 and
Jack Galle as vice president.
Davis reported that the district had finished the financial year in
“great shape,” following a prior year that was “pretty tight.”
The school district was able to purchase several items on a wish list and also restore cash carryovers to the previous levels and increase the amount in the capital outlay fund to $1.5 million, up $150,000 from 2007.
New hires include Katherine Rausch as district substitute teacher and assistant coach for high school volleyball, Liberty Middle School basketball and LMS track, Emily Gilpin for Haskins second grade, Desiri Schmidt for PHS biology, Jennifer Morris for LMS math and science, Laura Thimesch for PHS custodian, Steve Landry, LMS assistant boys basketball coach, and George Bloom, route and activity driver.
Resignations were accepted from technology teacher Dennis Gonzales, Lindsey Fuzzell, HES second grade, Dinah Henry, Southwest fourth grade, bus drivers Crystal Parsons and Barbara Albright and Lorie Cronister, Haskins secretary.
