Extensive repairs needed for VISD facilities

By Britne Reeves Staff Writer

With Van ISD enrollment growing, expansion and planning from small maintenance repairs to large projects that will take a considerable number of years to complete were at the forefront of discussion at the Van ISD Board of Trustees meeting Feb. 17. Superintendent Don Dunn said the district is in a busted-then-fix mode. We need to be more proactive and have a plan in place. Some of those plans would include replacing roofing nearly district-wide and improving facilities throughout, said Danny Morrow, director of business, personnel and operations. Morrow gave a facility report to the board and explained what needed to be fixed and what had already been repaired. According to Morrow, we have made a number of improvements throughout the district. We replaced 10,000 square feet of a concrete drive, we installed new high school gym seating, remodeled the restroom and flooring in the AG building, fixed the foundation at the junior high, installed batting cage covers for the softball and baseball teams, and installed new push button door locks on all the doors. But, we still have a lot of work to be done. During the facility report, Morrow led a detailed presentation on the many improvements that Van ISD needs to make in order to keep buildings in good repair and keep up with growing enrollment. We are a work in progress district, Morrow said. We need to replace at least 30,000 to 40,000 square feet of roofing every year. Our projected date of completion for the roofing project will probably be 2021, but that doesnt mean that it will end there. We will still need to provide continual replacement. We also need to replace the AC and heat units on all the buildings. Some of them have been there since 1980 and it is time for us to replace those. Hopefully, that will all be done by 2024. Morrow predicted the cost of all the renovations would total about $1.3 million. We need to do a lot of renovations, including addressing playground safety, carpet replacement, repairing the foundation at the northeast corner of the high school, resurfacing tennis courts and being ADA compliant, he said. We have some drainage issues in some places, and we will also need to start looking into turf replacement on the football field. Morrow said he has concerns that Van ISD will not be able to handle the districts expected enrollment growth. We cant sit back and be idle, Dunn said. We have to have plans in place and start looking forward to the future and what we will need to continue to operate as we do.

Attendance/ Employees of the month Van Junior High boasted the best attendance rate for two consecutive six weeks, with a 97.07 percent rate for the second six weeks and a 95.46 percent rate for the third six weeks. Employees of the month for February were: J.E. Rhodes Vicki Tompkins; Van Intermediate Shelley Walker; Van Middle Amber Robertson; Van Junior High Kyle Wright; and Van High Berny Duke. The employee of the month for December was Lisa Chitty.

Suicide Assessment Rexanne Thomas, special education and special program director, updated the board on the Suicide Risk Assessment Training. Due to recent circumstances, Van ISD employees were trained in how to recognize suicidal behavior and what steps to take to prevent such from happening. Thomas noted that, Nearly all of the Van ISD employees have been trained. All that is left to train is the business offices. This is a huge step for us, and the program seems to be working.

Board Training The Van ISD Board of Trustees will have board training March 17. Dunn said the March meeting will be crucial. It will get us geared up for what might happen in five to 10 years. It is vitally important.

Vision Statement Dunn also asked the board to change the districts vision statement. I think we should take out the word strives, and change it to inspire and prepare, he said. The board voted to change the mission statement to now read, Van ISD inspires and prepares all students to be successful in a rapidly changing world.

Other business: The board also: approved a budget change request; approved the Statement of Impact for Ranch Academy. The Ranch Academy requested to change its enrollment for up to 200 students; approve the memorandum of understanding between Van ISD Police Chief and the city of Van. considered and approved the 2014-2015 district instructional calendar; approved TEA application for low attendance days.

Go here to see the original:
Extensive repairs needed for VISD facilities