Nice weather allows Midland project to progress

     As the winter season ends, I want to thank you for the support you have shown for our students and your understanding and patience with the inconveniences that were caused by the construction work (here at Midland).

     The board has decided to look into the possibility of entering into a sharing agreement with another district to fill the superintendent opening. This is being done in light of the low level of legislative support for school districts with the 1.11 percent increase in State Supplemental Aid. In addition, that state does provide sharing incentive money for the sharing of certain positions. The superintendent position is one that can generate additional money for the district. Taking those factors into account, the sharing agreement can have an impact of about $125,000 a year based on reduced costs and increased revenue. The reduced expenditures and increased revenues may be used to help fund a full-time guidance counselor at the secondary level and other staffing issues around serving our at-risk population.

     The construction process has benefitted from the mild weather, thus far. Over the past couple of months, major changes have been seen on our landscape. The shop area and safe/wrestling practice room are pretty well completed and we should occupy them soon. The foundation and masonry work is nearly completed. The steel framework is progressing nicely. Once the steel framework is done, the second story concrete floor will be poured and the main floor grading will be done to prepare for the laying of concrete for the new classroom areas on the first floor. Meetings have also been held about the new furniture for the classrooms, collaboration areas, and media center and office spaces. Final design plans and bidding documents are being developed. As with any construction project, you run into certain roadblocks. Our goal for occupancy for the classroom and office areas is still August of this year and the final project completion date is November of this year. I state this with guarded optimism.

     Hopefully spring is here to stay.