Trustees Approve Budgets For ESSER Projects
By Bill Vander Weele
The Wolf Point School Board approved budgets for Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds during the board meeting on Monday, Dec. 13.
The Wolf Point School District was allocated an ESSER II Basic Allocation of $2,372,240. In addition, and under ESSER II, special needs funds were allocated for $12,294. The Wolf Point School District was Allocated an ESSER III Basic Allocation of $5,300,104 in which $1,060,021 of the allocation must address Learning Loss among all students.
Esser II projects include:
•Expansion of the district’s weight room located at the Wolf Point Junior/Senior High School. The expanded weight room will allow students to remain socially distanced, therefore, helping to prevent the spread of the virus. Proposed budget for the project is $695,000. This includes a 30 x 30 foot building expansion.
•The Northside windows project will include replacement of approximately 80 percent of the windows at the elementary school. During a facility condition inventory in September of 2020, approximately 80 percent of the windows in the building had opening hardware that was worn or was inoperable. Proposed budget is $100,000.
Esser II project include:
•Updated HVAC systems that will include equipment to better filter and circulate the air throughout the buildings. The district has budgeted $475,000 for each of the four school buildings.
•The updated network systems throughout the district will help to facilitate distance and remote learning throughout the duration of the pandemic. The budget is for new equipment and software as well as implementation of the software.
•Classroom modernization upgrades will include countertops and cabinets in each of the four instructional buildings throughout the district. Budget is $125,000 for each of the four schools.
•Expansion of the high school’s outdoor sporting complex seating will help promote social distancing during these outdoor events. The estimated cost for the bleacher expansion/upgrade is $250,000.
•Replacement of the sinks and handwashing stations throughout the restrooms at Southside Elementary School will include replacing many of the drainpipes. Estimated cost for the project is $713,202.
