The Holden Image

The decision to construct a new bus maintenance facility on the Holden R-3 Campus was postponed again during a special meeting of the Board of Education last Tuesday night.

Discussion of the construction of the facility began in January, when district architect Wade Lininger, of Sam A. Winn and Associates presented the board with a schematic of the building. The schematic and preliminary cost analysis estimated costs for a 4,500 square-foot pre-finished metal building to serve the purposes of bus maintenance and offices for bus operations administrative staff. Specifications also allowed for needed storage space.

At that time, Lininger estimated the district’s cost to construct the facility at $254,200. The cost did not include furnishings, rock removal, building permit and fees, utility connections, architectural fees or the cost of a walk-in service pit.

Although concerns about the high cost of the facility’s construction were voiced by several school board members at that time, the district sought bids from contractors under board approval after being assured by Superintendent Dr. Lindell Harrison that with $190,000 in the district’s construction fund as well as $60,000 in proceeds from the sale of the district’s old bus barn, funding of the project would be possible.

The issue was re-visited during the regular meeting of the Board of Education in February, when Lininger presented the board with a number of bids ranging in price from $335,000 to $390,000 received to construct the maintenance facility. The meeting was well-attended with several citizens raising concerns about the cost of the building.

Citizen Sam Thomason said he felt the cost estimate given by Lininger in January was too high. “What is it they can do on the buses that can justify that kind of money,” Thomason asked the board. He continued by saying he felt if the district were to spend that kind of money on a bus barn, the tax payers’ money would be mis-spent. “There’s no reason to spend this kind of money.”

Lininger told the board that, according to his research, the cost of the building’s construction was high due to the rising cost of steel. Also, the district would be required to pay prevailing wage to all workers on the project.

At that time, the board decided to request itemized lists from the contractors and architect in order to “weed out” features that could be responsible for the profoundly high cost of the building.

Last Tuesday, Harrison told the board over $36,000 in deductions had been negotiated by Lininger on the district’s behalf and some cost breakdowns had been received. However, Harrison reminded the board that the requirement of the district to pay workers prevailing wage is, in all probability, a major factor in the high cost of the facility’s construction.

A number of options were discussed for the building’s construction, including changes in the specifications of the facility, the district purchasing materials and hiring employees for the district and volunteers to construct the facility and simply constructing a metal “shell” on a concrete pad and finishing the interior touches in the future.

Harrison explained projects such as this one tend to be more difficult for a small school district such as Holden because larger school districts commonly have carpenters and other skilled workers on staff. “They can do things we can’t do because of that,” Harrison said.

Harrison said he has been surprised by the high bids received. “If we need to go back to the drawing board, we need to,” Harrison said. “I thought the $250,000 number was a high estimate.”

The board organized a committee to research the building in more depth, allowing expensive features to be eliminated. Bids were not rejected at this time, and will be re-visited during the regular meeting of the R-3 Board of Education in March.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

Sunday, a brief ceremony marked the completion of the second Habitat home in Johnson County, which is now inhabited by Brandi Sylvester and her children at the corner of Lexington and Fifth streets on land donated by the Dan Day family, formerly of Holden.

Work on the house began on April 1 of this year, when volunteers began cleaning up the lot. The concrete was poured and the house was framed on June 6.

“This celebration marks the completion of a very long project in which over 96 people volunteered their time and talents to physically build the home,” Habitat volunteer Barbara Curtis said. “Many more donated materials or helped financially.”

Curtis commended the efforts of local volunteers who worked diligently on the completion of Sylvester’s home, including Dennis Schoonover, Fred Christenson, Kyndal Phelps and John McLennon.

According to Habitat coordinators, Sylvester earned the house by meeting certain guidelines and criteria as well as donating “sweat equity” to the project. “Sweat equity” is a requirement of Habitat coordinators in which the family chosen to receive a home must work alongside volunteers during the home’s construction. A pre-determined number of hours must be completed in order to meet Habitat’s requirements. Sylvester was required to perform 155 hours of “sweat equity,” which she completed quite some time ago.

Sweat equity includes hands-on work on the house itself as well as training in budgeting, home and fire safety and being a good neighbor. Sylvester was also required to train in the care of her home, including simple home repairs.

There were several speakers on hand at the day’s festivities including Paul Chambers, Reverend Alex Wales, State Representative David Pearce, Mayor Terry Hedglin, a representative of Cowboys for Christ, Father Steve Cook and Rev. Barbara Curtis. In addition, refreshments for the event were donated by members of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church.

“The highlight of the ceremony was when project superintendent Dennis Schoonover presented Sylvester and her family with the official key to their new home,” said event organizers.

In addition to Sunday’s dedication ceremony, there will be a celebration on March 19 at 6:45 p.m. at the Warrensburg Community Center in multipurpose room A for all volunteers, everyone in the community, or anyone who is interested in the work of Habitat for Humanity.

“It will be a time of thanksgiving and fellowship to celebrate a job well done, and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend,” Curtis said.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of this effort in the community and for each and every contribution that has been received. We would also like to welcome the Sylvester family home”, said board members of Habitat of Johnson County.

Habitat For Humanity is a non-profit, non-denominational, Christian organization dedicated to building decent, affordable, handicap accessible homes for low-income residents. Recipients of the home, in addition to putting in their “sweat equity” are required to make a steady income, display a need for the home and be able to pay back the money to Habitat through an interest-free loan as well as a one percent down payment.

Habitat for Humanity of Johnson County was formed to eliminate substandard housing in Johnson County by partnering with persons in need of simple, decent homes. Materials for the home are furnished through donations.

All labor is done by volunteers. Once complete, the home is purchased by the selected family with a zero percent interest loan. The funds generated as they make their house payments are then used to fund future homes.

Schoonover said he encourages anyone who is interested in Habitat For Humanity to get involved. “It’s an awesome experience to be involved in,” he said.

Johnson County Habitat For Humanity meets the third Monday of every month at 123 East Gay Street; Suite E3 in Warrensburg. The meetings are open and the public is encouraged to attend.

Donations to Habitat are tax deductible and may be sent to the above address. Please specify the donation is for Johnson County Habitat For Humanity. Ten percent of all of Habitat’s donations are tithed to an international fund used to build homes overseas. Currently, only about $3,500 is needed in order to construct a home overseas.

Kyndal Phelps is the volunteer coordinator for Johnson County Habitat For Humanity. Persons interested in getting involved with the organization may contact her at Holden Fastop.

By Dana Neubert
Staff Writer

A Holden youth sustained serious injuries when he was struck by a car on Z Highway Saturday evening.

Tyler N. Main, 15, and a freshman at Holden High School, was transported by Lifeflight to Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City for treatment of injuries.

According to Missouri State Highway Patrol Reports, the incident occurred as Main was walking south in the southbound lane of Z Highway south of NW 800 Road and was struck by a vehicle driven by Lishia N. Chabot, 53, of Bates City.

No summons was issued in regards to the incident.

According to a friend of the family, a fund has been established as the Tyler Main Fund at the Bank of Holden and donation cans will also be placed in area businesses around town.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

A decision to deficit spend in the Holden R-3 School District’s 2005-2006 budget was not made lightly during the board’s regular meeting last Tuesday night.

A preliminary budget was presented to the board by district superintendent Dr. Lindell Harrison in which the budget was balanced. Harrison, however, told the board the preliminary budget includes all building requests as submitted, no salary or benefit increases for current employees and no additional employees. In addition, the preliminary budget did not include a tax levy increase or transfers through Senate Bill 781. However, Harrison did include in the budget the assumption of an increase of assessed valuation to $70 million.

The budget included $800,000 for the purchase of two new school buses and capital projects. In addition, $157,000 was allotted for classroom equipment, and the technology department received a $120,000 budget, which Harrison said could be used for technology equipment.

According to Harrison, in order to fund desired salary and staff increases within the district, an additional $250,000 would be needed, and could be acquired from the district’s cash reserves. Harrison said he recommends at least a couple of additions to the faculty of the district.

The $250,000 deficit expenditure was approved by the board, bringing the district’s reserves down to $1.8 million. According to board president Jeff Miller, although the expenditure is deficit spending, the district will still be sitting with enough money in reserves for any emergency that would arise. The district has a goal to keep 10 percent of expenditures in reserves, and, according to information discussed at the meeting, the remaining $1.8 million still keeps the district well above that figure.

Harrison agreed with Miller that as long as the board did not deficit spend to the point of taking the reserves below 10 percent, he felt the decision to grant the salary and staff increases was a sound one. “I feel pretty comfortable with $1 million sitting in reserve... That covers about anything that could come up,” Harrison said. “but, you need to be careful about spending reserves because at some point you have to pay the piper.”

Board member Mike Watterson agreed with Miller and Harrison about temporary deficit spending, but said he does not want to “get into a situation where we’re deficit spending for things that will be recurring expenditures.”

Board member Dale Jarman noted the district had built up cash reserves, at least in part, as a result of not doing many capital projects. “I don’t think deficit spending for one year would be too bad,” Jarman commented.

Harrison agreed, stating that he felt the district would probably need to seek a tax levy increase in the near future for what he called “major building issues.” Harrison said in addition to a very crowded high school, the district is faced with updating its athletic facilities and may need to look at building projects at the elementary level in the future. “I think those are major needs,” Harrison said. “If enrollment trends continue, we will need to do something at the elementary level in the next couple of years.”

Harrison said with the needed repairs and additions at the high school and the middle school and elementary schools full, the district could have between $3 million and $4 million in needed projects waiting in the wings.

Harrison presented the board with a proposal for increasing space and updating facilities at the high school. The plan, which would come with a price tag of a little over $1 million, would add ten classrooms, a new library and a new cafeteria to the high school. In addition, Harrison said, in his opinion, $300,000 to $400,000 in upgrades are needed to the school’s athletic facilities. Miller asked how the district would propose to fund such projects. Harrison told Miller a tax levy increase would have to be sought, which he projected would be 20 to 25 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.

“It will be a struggle to go to the voters and ask for a tax increase when we are sitting on $2 million,” Miller said. “As long as we are above that goal (for 10 percent of expenses in reserve), it will be hard go to the patrons and ask for a tax levy increase.”

Harrison suggested the board spend some time over the next year or two putting together plans for a proposed levy increase, noting that although the district could probably make due with the facilities they have as they are for the next couple of years, “in five years, something will have to be done.”

The board agreed to use goals through the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) to formulate its goals for the coming year. Harrison said although the CSIP was updated this year, making it good for five years, it does need to be re-visited by the board each year.

Watterson questioned the board as to how the district can tie in increased test scores into the goals set forth by the CSIP. “How can we know in October or November what our weaknesses are so we can better prepare,” Watterson asked, noting that under current policies, MAP test scores are not known until the following year, limiting the district’s knowledge of the student’s weak areas at the time the problem is occurring. “By the time we get the test scores, it’s too late.” The board agreed to look at goals concerning student achievement.

Miller told the board he feels it is important to set realistic and measurable goals for the district. “If we set goals we cannot reach or attain, they’re not worth having,” Miller said. “We’ve done a very good job of setting realistic goals in the last couple of years.”

Jarman agreed with Miller, but added that he felt the board should add at least a couple of big goals that may be more difficult to attain. “We don’t want to be a school district with low expectations.”

In addition, Miller encouraged the board to re-visit goals they had suggested while attending a school board convention at Tan-Tar-A earlier in the year. Those goals included the purchase of two new school buses, which has been included in the preliminary 2005-2006 budget. In addition, the board had outlined goals for an increase in the technology department’s budget by $100,000, which to date has not been added. Improvements to the elementary and high schools was also discussed.

Harrison said although some minor improvements are needed at the elementary and middle schools, they can probably be handled through the district’s ongoing budget. However, according to Harrison the real issue at all the schools is the ongoing problem of space. In the short-term, according to Harrison, more modular units will probably be added at the schools with a long-term goal of construction.

In related business, Jarman suggested the board talk with city officials to arrange a partnership between the City of Holden and the district to construct sidewalks on the school campus.

Jarman said he feels the district is continuously absorbing the cost of buses because they are making transportation available to all students in the district regardless of how close they live to the school. “We are transporting kids who live across the street because it is not safe for them to walk without sidewalks,” Jarman commented. He said the lack of sidewalks at the schools is a safety issue that is costing the district money, noting that deleting even one-half of a bus route would save the district $10,000.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor