Jefferson officials again ponder what to do about high school

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:23 PM CST

JEFFERSON - The Jefferson Board of Education this week considered what the future might hold for the deteriorating and outdated Jefferson High School - its swimming pool facility in particular.

In early November, voters in the district opted against renovations to the high school facility for the second time and this week the board turned its focus to the swimming pool, located on the school's east end. The pool may need repairs that could cost as much as $100,000.

According to information provided by the district, on Sept. 5, the school's maintenance crew discovered severe structural deterioration beneath the south end of the pool. The administration has been working with Gunnar Malm and Associates, Inc. of Madison, consulting engineers, to receive an opinion on the level of corrosion, as well as corrective action steps for repair of the damage, as well as related costs.

According to Gunnar Malm and Associates, there is considerable deterioration under one of the pool's decks and thousands of dollars in repairs will be needed. Malm and Associates have informed the district the pool is safe until spring of 2009 when engineers said repairs should be undertaken.

Members of the Jefferson Board of Education said they do not want to invest in the pool immediately, because they would like to see another referendum undertaken by the school district.

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At a meeting of the board earlier this month, the board discussed the failed school referendum of Nov. 4. The proposed $39.7 million referendum that was defeated by 782 votes included additions to the high school, as well as the addition of a new pool and gymnasium, renovations to the high school, demolishing portions of the existing high school and making improvements to the track and replacing the tennis courts. A second question asked to exceed the district's revenue limit by $300,000 for five years to provide funds for other facilities maintenance projects throughout the district. That question was defeated by 598 votes.

District officials said there is a variety of theories why the referendum didn't pass, including a major factor being the economy. The district leaders have said they continue to try to get a handle on what the community is looking for. The board has discussed possibly organizing another study committee to review the district's needs again. This was the second failed referendum in the district, with the first referendum of $45.6 million also defeated earlier this year. The board has not made any decision whether or not it will bring another referendum to the district in April.

District officials have said they are hoping the district might provide braces to the swimming pool at the high school so it remains safe for a longer period in order to provide time to develop another referendum question.

Also at the meeting, October citizens of the month were honored including Joe Marquardt of Sullivan Elementary School, Alli Sukow of East Elementary School, Gabrielle Utre of West Elementary School, Zachary Linse of Jefferson Middle School and Taylor Moehling of Jefferson High School.

The board honored the achievements of co-curricular participants for the fall including Luis Ochoa of varsity boys soccer; Lindsay Frank of varsity girls volleyball; Jake Dillavou, Tyler Tomczak and Dan Scherer of varsity football; Lee Olson, Jacob Wirth, Taylor Steele and Felicia Schmid of the high school choir; the cast and crew of the high school one-act play “Mixology.”

There were no resignations or employments listed.

Donations from St. Vincent DePaul, Wal-Mart and the Jefferson Eagles Athletic Booster Club were all accepted.

A second reading of the grades six-12 World Languages Curriculum was accepted and included a revamping of the middle school Spanish curriculum, as well as expanded offerings at the high school in terms of language. Also accepted by the board was an Information (Library/Media) and Technology Plan for 2009-2011.

In an attempt to resolve mechanical HVAC system deficiencies at the middle school, the administration has been working with consultants from Zimmerman Architectural Studios, Harwood Engineering, TRANE, Maas Brothers, and Capitol Mechanical, Inc.

School District Superintendent Mike Swartz said the district is continuing to be concerned with heating and cooling concerns and problems at the middle school and is trying to get the issues resolved and will work with an independent firm to identify the problems.