Board takes tour of work in progress

The Minneota School Board got a first-hand look at the construction going on at the school Thursday night during their regular board meeting.

Rooms torn apart, courtyards being narrowed to add more space, streamlined computer systems, new lighting, renovated bathrooms and much more are all highlights of the construction.

There will be an all new entrance, "That should look really sharp when done," said Supt. Dan Deitte. The deadline for completions of the project is August 22.

When asked if the project is on schedule, Deitte was told, "We're close!" He said, "I took that as a good sign.”

The elementary school is getting a full makeover this summer after the $5.25 million school bond project was approved by voters.

It’s Phase One of a two-part project that will continue next summer to include new locker rooms.

Thursday many of the school board members got their first look at “the mess” that will become, “A very nice elementary school.”

All the asbestos has been removed. Much of it was in the tiles on the floor. Preparations are underway to put in new windows, tiles, LED lighting and much more.

“It should really be nice for the teachers,” said Supt. Dan Deitte. Two Kindergarten rooms will “adjoin” each other, with a door so they can have access to each other.

Outside, the main entrance is being renovated.

“Outside there will be new lights, bike racks, benches and an all-new entrance. It should be really sharp when it’s done,” said Deitte.

Two sidewalks leading up to the main entrance and secondary entrance will be replaced.

The old window by the entrance, next to the old elementary offices, “Are going away.” Deitte said, “There will be a new window and benches and more space.”

Inside, the main object of the construction has been the rest rooms, which were not only becoming impossible to keep fresh, but had numerous problems with the plumbing.

At this point, Deitte said the work creating the new bathrooms has been extensive, but is going well. One room has been created as an, “Air Handler” room.

The air unit will no longer be on the roof of the school, but inside. “It’s cheaper than putting it on the roof,” said Deitte. “And we have the space inside,” said Board Member Larry Buysse. One room, with a closet full of equipment and wires, will be renovated and new technology “hooked up,” said Deitte.

“The tricky part is taking it out and putting it back in,” the superintendent said.

“Most of the equipment is obsolete and we have a new provider,” he said. (In the photo at the right, much of the equipment will hang above the current location, where wires and tubing now exists.)

As the board walked down what are now “poorly-lit” hallways, Supt. Deitte said there will be all new LED lights in the hallways. One of the reasons for renovation was the removal of asbestos and out-dated tiles on the floor.

“I’m happy to say the upstairs is officially asbestos free from the asbestos tiles,” said the superintendent.

The old science room, which had old green tiles that couldn’t be matched for repairs, will now have a new floor — along with new windows. While the school has many new lockers, the lockers that still have “handles” will be discarded and replaced by the more modern openers.

Since Ivanhoe students joined the Minneota School, teaching space has been at a premium. Just about every “nook and cranny” was used for teaching. Now, by expanding walls out and adding space into what formerly were “courtyards,” there is more space for classes.

Courtyards have become a “thing of the past,” and converting them helps give the school much-needed space. One of the areas benefitting is the FCCLA space (formerly known as Home Economics).

Teacher LeaAnne Bot will have additional room once a retaining wall is knocked out and the project can be finished.

The competition gymnasium is also getting an overhaul. Because painting has to be accomplished, the Viking murals will have to be replaced by new murals. And much of the piping at the ceiling of the gymnasium has been covered to give the gymnasium a “cleaner” look.

“We’re painting the beams and covering all the pipes. And there will be new lighting in the gym,” said Deitte. The gym floor is also being re-done, even though it was done last summer.

“It was not so good last year,” said Deitte. He indicated the gym would be finished in October, after the volleyball season. However, the volleyball team will have to practice in the smaller gym for the upcoming tournaments.

“It will be done in time for basketball season,” the superintendent added.

The gym will get all new electrical work, including the stage. And wiring for the computer lab will be re-done, “So it will never go out again,” said Deitte.

There will also be new lights in the parking lot outside the school.

“This is for safety reasons,” said the superintendent. There’s still some decisions to be made, picking out colors for the sheetrock and drywall areas. The board was told 30-40 people are working on the renovation project at any given time.

“I don’t think we’ve had many surprises,” said Supt. Deitte. And they’re hoping there won’t be any more to come in the upcoming weeks.