HISD bond: Junior High renovations
By Jimmy Appelt
tribunenewsroom@sbcglobal.net
This is part 2 of information regarding the various items included in the proposed $13.82 million bond election ordered by the Hallettsville Independent School District for Saturday, May 7. This week’s report involves renovations at the Junior High with a proposed cost of this project at $2,131,000.
In 2014, Hallettsville ISD voters approved $10.8 million bond that included renovations to both the Elementary and Jr. High campuses.
Improvements made at the Jr. High that took place eight years ago included eliminating foundation issues to the cafeteria as well as adding space to the dining and kitchen area.
Also addressed in the 2014 bond, the Jr. High included resolving drainage issues between the cafeteria and gymnasium along with increasing library space, adding classroom space and creating an efficient flow of student traffic in the hallways.
Since that time, a number of other issues have been discovered at the Jr. High and is included in this year’s proposed bond that the district wants to address.
According to the HISD website, items that are listed in the proposed bond include upgrades to the Junior High gymnasium.
Listed areas, in the gymnasium, that would be addressed, should voters approve the bond include:
• Expanded storage areas.
• New locks on lockers.
• New shower stalls, toilet partitions, and expanded restrooms.
• Plumbing and electrical upgrades.
• Weight room and mini-gym expansion.
• Ventilation and climate control improvements.
• Commercial washer and dryer additions.
• Door upgrades. Miscellaneous items:
• Additional lighting.
• Painting projects.
In regards to the different areas, HISD superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Bludau and HJH principal Sophie Teltschik spoke about these areas and the purpose for the needs.
Plumbing/Electrical Upgrades
One major problem that arose at the Junior High took place in early December, this past year, when it was discovered there was a leak problem under the gymnasium.
According to Bludau, the problem was addressed and repaired, however the cast iron piping under the gym is not in very good shape and further problems could arise in the future.
“We had 17 tanker trucks haul water from under the gym,” Bludau said.
Teltschik also spoke about the water collection under the gym flooring and what they discovered after the after the water was removed.
“We noticed a lot of the original cast iron pipes for the gym and bathrooms had completely deteriorated,” Teltschik said. “One of the pipes had burst and the water collected under the floor causing some of the flooring to buckle.”
Teltschik said the district has insurance to cover the replacement of a new floor, but the piping and other parts of the gym need to be addressed.
“I think when this happened, it gave us the opportunity to take a closer look at the gym and locker room areas,” Teltschik said.
“Past bonds have paid for renovations of the main building, but we have never addressed the gym.”
Storage Expansion
In regards to expanding the storage areas, Bludau said there is limited storage and closet space for both boys and girls athletic equipment and uniforms.
“They (coaches) have been trying to make do in whatever closet space they have,” Bludau said.
Teltschik also added to Bludau’s comment saying the storage upstairs gets very humid and will cause mildew to collect on the equipment.
“We used to store all the football helmets upstairs, but not anymore because everything up there mildews,” Teltschik said. “We don’t keep any of our game uniforms or equipment upstairs. Mildew and mold takes over everything.”
In addition, Teltschik said the lighting in the storage area upstairs needs improvement.
Shower Stalls/Toilet Partitions/Restroom Expansion
Another area listed in bond involves for Junior High improvements involves expanding the boys and girls restrooms in the gym as well as installing new shower stalls and adding toilet partitions.
The Junior High gymnasium is believed to have been constructed over 50 years ago and many of the original restroom and shower areas are still in place. This has led to improvements needed in those areas.
Currently, the boys restroom/ dressing room area contains community showers and a passage of the bond would address privacy and drainage issues.
“We’re wanting to put in some partitions to make it a little more private,” Bludau said. “We also have limited space in both the boys and girls restroom and dressing rooms. We’re trying to address the equality for both the boys and girls and make sure they each have adequate facilities.”
According to Teltschik, the shower, bathroom and dressing area in the gymnasium is part of the original building. She said the gym has two toilet fixtures on the girls side and the boys side has two toilets and two urinals. Also the shower area is the original and offers very little, or no privacy for showering.
“Every child on our campus is in the locker room ever day,” Teltschik said. “It’s just not adequate.”
The bond also calls for replacing the locks on lockers which are part of the original lockers added in late 1980’s.
Ventilation/Climate Control Improvements
In the past, a mini-gym located behind the gym was constructed to add an extra area for physical education classes.
Over time it has been found there are air quality issues as the area is out of date.
Bludau said the design is not compatible with current facility standards and needs for the space and how it is being used.
“The mini-gym is not climatized. It’s either extremely cold, or extremely hot,” Teltschik said. “If its humid outside, the concrete sweats and there floors are slick.”
Teltschik said the proposed bond also calls for extending the mini-gym to allow more students to utilize it as well as an area for more weight lifting equipment to be added.
“Only a small group can utilize the mini-gym at one time,” Teltschik said.
“Extending it would allow more in at one time. Our facility is not conducive to having a large group of kids in there.”
Door Upgrades
Upgrading the doors located around the gymnasium and other areas is also called for in the bond with the hopes of improving those areas as well.
“We have constantly been trying to make sure all doors are in good working order so they can be locked, secured and only accessed by personnel who need to access those doors,” Bludau said.
Other Areas
Other areas listed on the proposed bond include purchasing a commercial washer and dryer for washing Junior High uniforms.
Teltschik said at present, they have a regular, high capacity washer and dry used to wash boys uniforms as well as athletic shirts and shorts. However, there is no washer and dryer for the girls.
“The board has approved the purchase of a commercial washer and dryer, but for equity purpose, we like to have one in each area (boys and girls).
••••••••••••••••
Early voting on HISD bond will be begin April 25 and end on May 3 and will take place at the Lavaca County Courthouse Annex, 412 N. Texana St., Hallettsville, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The general election will be held Saturday, May 7 and voters can cast their ballot at their polling location from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.