Stadium renovation bids come in over estimate

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Members of the Newton Community School District Board of Education were informed Monday night that bids for the H.A. Lynn Stadium renovation project came in over the estimate. The H.A. Lynn Stadium project was budgeted at $750,000 in improvements for the 2007-08 fiscal year. The renovations are to include improvements to the field and track, new railings, possibly adding bleachers and updating concessions. Superintendent Steve McDermott said the district will examine options of how to move forward with the project despite the high bids. “We’ve talked about alternatives in paring down the price, looking at staging,” McDermott said, “and alternatives for funding.” McDermott said the project will move forward despite the set back. “I do not have bids for you to approve tonight,” he said. “We have not given up on the project.” Although the stadium project was stalled, the construction plans for the Technology and Printing Warehouse Facility moved forward with the board’s approval of advertising for bids and setting a public hearing on the project for 7:30 p.m. May 19 at the Administration Office Annex Conference Room. Jim Sogard, NCSD director of human resources, announced several positions have been filled within the district including the assistant principal position and athletic director at Berg Middle School, the high school vocal music teacher and the guidance counselor position at the middle school. “We have a nice blend of local folks and other folks, with one moving from Western Colorado,” Sogard noted. In all, the board approved 20 new contracts or transfers of individuals in the district ranging from coaching posts and teaching positions, to counselors and administrators. The board also heard a presentation from the district’s physical education staff about the department’s new standards and benchmarks. The physical education staff also presented the board with purchasing recommendations totaling $29,980.41. Tom Hoover, director of educational services, noted the district-wide purchases are overdue. “It’s been eight years since the district (as a whole) purchased new materials,” Hoover said, noting the last time physical education materials were purchased the cost was approximately $20,000.

In other business: • The board received an update on kindergarten round-up figures, which currently sit 227 children. • The board was recognized as a featured collaborator by Linda Berz with Collaborative Learning, Inc. The district was honored for their outstanding work with curriculum mapping. See a complete story about the honor in the Daily News on Wednesday.