In the next few months, Iola residents will see a lot of concrete poured at the sites of two new school buildings.
Construction is well underway at the site of a new science and technology building at the Iola High School campus. Steel and masonry work continues, with orange tents available that will allow masonry crews to continue working in cold weather.
Halfway across town, dirt work is complete and ready for construction to begin at the new Iola Elementary School at Kentucky and Monroe streets. Crews were expected to begin work on the building pad and concrete footers this week.
“You’ll see concrete pours almost daily for the next five months,” USD 257 Board President Dan Willis said. “You’re seeing a bunch of action on both sites.”
The elementary school site was delayed for several weeks as the topsoil needed to be reworked.
Crews with Veterans Worldwide had to remove most of the soil at the site because of lead contamination dating back about 100 years from when the area housed industry like a zinc smelting plant. New soil was brought in from property east of Iola.
IN OTHER news, the school board:
Discussed the district’s early resignation and retirement incentives. The district benefits from early notification of a teacher’s intention to leave or retire, especially in terms of recruiting new staff. If such notification is made by Jan. 22, it will bring $1,000; or $500 if notified by Feb. 19. Those dates were adjusted to match the board’s meeting schedule next year, so the board can take action immediately after notification.
Heard an update on dyslexia training for teachers and staff. The state requires six hours of such training. The district completed three hours in October and will have the next three hours on Friday.
Heard an update on math curriculum. It’s been several years since the district updated its math books and worksheets. Next semester, elementary teachers and students will serve as a pilot program for a new math curriculum to determine if it suits their needs.
Heard updates about winter sports programs. A very limited number of family members are now allowed into events, and the district will keep close track of those attendees. Willis also asked for an update on the district’s online presence, which includes live streaming games. The district is behind others in that area, Iola High School Principal Scott Carson and other administrators said, but they are working on improving their capabilities.
Learned a soil test at the Iola football stadium had revealed lead contamination in one part of the field. The sod will be replaced there but it won’t match the rest of the field, so an anonymous donor has agreed to foot most of the expected $35,000 cost to replace it. The district will need to match about $5,000 of the cost.
Reviewed the district’s remote learning plan. Teachers and administrators have developed a two-week contingency plan if the district needs to go all-remote, such as if the state or county enters another lockdown because of coronavirus infections. Administrators also developed an application for remote learners. Starting next semester, any student who wants to study remotely rather than attend in-person classes must apply and meet certain qualifications.
