USD 475 school board members got an update on the fiscal year 2022 through 2024 Facilities Master Plans for the District Thursday evening. The current execution of the 2022 plan, proposed changes to the 2023 document and introduction of the proposed 2024 plan were highlighted by the District's Chief Operations Officer David Wild.
He reported that the entire 2022 master plan has or is being executed with primarily the exception of pavement maintenance at Junction City Middle School. That work is anticipated on the back side drive of that school this summer. There was funding set aside for Fine Arts to meet needs and that has resulted in the purchase of a new kiln with the District currently awaiting delivery. There is also funding set aside for new stadium turf when the time comes in the future to make that acquisition.
For fiscal year 2023 proposed changes include $1.3 million for replacement of most of the roof at Ware Elementary School. The majority of the roof is 35 years old, although there is a newer addition where replacement is not necessary.
There is a proposal for $140,000 for HVAC upgrades at Fort Riley Middle School. Wild noted that there have been challenges with the system since it was built but officials believe that they can make repairs, rather than replace the entire HVAC system.
Other changes could include replacement of cameras for about $250,000, and Wild mentioned place holder funding for development of a JROTC course at the new high school. "It would be good to see those young people using their own obstacle course as opposed to working down here at 5th Street Park. " Vehicle replacement money for replacement of existing JCHS athletic transport vehicles has also been included in the plan. There is also a $700,000 price increase for demolition costs on the old high school facility.
For fiscal year 2024 the total dollar amount of proposed improvements drops back down to $4.4 million from a total of $6.7 million in fiscal year 2023.
For 2024 Wild outlined the first phase of a four-phase renovation of the Devin Center, "that has been long neglected. I believe that if we can get this built into the Master Plan then it's much more likely to occur." He added that the vision is to get the project done over a four-year period. "We'll do one quarter of the facility renovation at a time and just flop everybody around until we get all four phases done."
Wild will bring the proposed adjustments and plans back to the Board on April 11th seeking approval. The topic was on the Board's agenda for discussion only Thursday night.