Board looks to impove softball facilityby Mary Le Arneal The North Bend Central Board of Education began looking at the softball facility at its Oct. 10 meeting. This is part of the second tier of the school’s facilities upgrade. Architect Bob Soukup of Carson West Provona Architects presented options for the facility. Bathrooms, concession stand, storage and press box were being considered. Soukup presented three possibilities and will take into consideration the board’s input to come up with a proposal he can put a price tag on. The board asked him to come up with a high end proposal as well as a low end possibility. The board suggested that the building follow the same design as the press box at the football field. It was noted that the softball field is used throughout the summer by the community. Soukup also presented parking lot updates. He is waiting for results of a drainage survey before he can give estimates of either project. Soukup suggested a special meeting before the next scheduled board meeting to consider options and get the projects moving. Randy Harrick of CTS Group spoke to the board after his company did an assessment of the school’s infrastructure and energy needs. This is part of the year two plan to update the heating and air conditioning units at both schools. Superintendent Dan Endorf has contacted an engineer to evaluate what needs to be done to replacing the 32 heating and air conditioning units on the high school roof and the boiler at the elementary school. The board will wait for the engineer’s recommendations before deciding if they will do the energy project at one time or in stages. Randy Dodge addressed the board about Unified Bowling. Forty-two NSAA schools have signed up to participate. Dodge is currently talking to students and parents about participating. High school principal Brenda Petersen told the board about John Baylor, who spoke to the high and middle school students about the importance of doing well on ACT. “He said every point you can increase your ACT is money saved,” Petersen said. “He got them excited,” Petersen said. She said some seniors signed up to take the ACT again since the day after Baylor spoke was the last day to sign up. The John Baylor ACT Prep Course is offered at NBC. Steven Grueber of North Bend Insurance addressed the board with the property and casualty insurance estimates. The premium would be $124,123, almost $6,000 less than last year. The board accepted the bid with additional coverage for data and terrorism coverage. The board examined the Early Retirement Incentive Program and are leaning toward not offering it this school year. The next regular board meeting will be Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. <<Back to the front page |