Leiker gives construction update
Sports reporter
With the opening of the Marion-Florence USD 408 performing arts center, district superintendent Lee Leiker gave an update Monday to the board during its regular meeting.
Leiker said the sound system in the performing arts center is now complete, as an intercom from the music classroom to the Marion Middle School building was completed this past week.
All the clocks have been set on an exact time in a system that will allow them to always read the same.
Acoustical wall panels will be installed Wednesday, as will some other small jobs to finish off the inside.
The building currently is locked by Hutton Construction because a shipment of locks for the school that was sent to the district was incorrect.
Leiker is hoping to have the correct locks on the building as soon as possible.
A fountain in front of the building should be completed sometime in February or March.
The pool and gymnasium are moving along according to Leiker.
The pool roof was sealed Tuesday (air and water tight), and the steel structure for the gymnasium is coming along.
"I think six weeks will be a tremendous difference in the building," Leiker said.
Cement is being poured, and the zero-entry ramp for the pool currently is being constructed.
Leiker, who said nice weather will be welcomed after the harsh start to the winter, will be at the Jan. 28 city meeting to talk with council members.
He also is working on having the members come and tour the site.
He said the decision for a slide on the pool has not been made yet, and could be after his visit to the city meeting.
In other news:
— Marion Elementary School library aide Lori Kirkpatrick, and second grade teacher Susan Hall presented the school's improvement plan at the board of education meeting.
Administrators at MES collected data from standardized testing and assessments to address the needs of students, and stress the areas they are doing well in, not just the problem areas.
— Leiker told the board the district has been receiving requests to use the new facilities, as well as the football stadium, and proposed an official signed agreement between the district and interested parties.
The board decided each request would be taken on a case-by-case basis, and non-profit and charity organizations could be treated differently than for-profit requests.
There was a consensus from the board that even if the district does not charge a group for use of the facilities, it will seek some reimbursement for staff hired during the event.
Marion Ministerial Alliance's request to have a movie shown Feb. 17 in the performing arts enter was accepted.
— MHS FCCLA sponsor Mryta Billings shared a slide show with the board of a trip some of her students took to Minneapolis for the FCCLA cluster meeting.
There, the students (Megan Schmidt, Kalaya Jackson, and Hannah Rogers) attended a conference with motivational speakers, did some shopping at the Mall of America, and took in the sights of the city.
— MHS students Adam Trapp and Valeree Hett were approved for their respective work release programs.
Trapp will be working at Flaming's Heating and Cooling, and Hett will be working as a CNA at Hillsboro Community Medical Center.
The work sessions will be from 1-3:30 p.m.
MHS principal Jim Piper explained to the board the difference between work release, and work study.
The district still is responsible for students in the work study program, and they receive no pay, but a grade or credit for school.
Those in the work release programs, such as Hett and Trapp, are paid and not in the care of the district during those hours.
— The board assigned Keith Collett and Kathy Meierhoff as teacher contract negotiators for the board for the 2008-09 school year.
