School referendum dollars put to use

Last November, voters in the Breckenridge Public School District passed a referendum to renew the existing levy and additionally to fund technology improvements and enhancements, as well as security and maintenance upgrades.

District officials held a referendum update for the public Monday evening to showcase new technology enhancements, introduce the new technology integrationist, show architectural drawings and safety improvements planned for both school buildings and discuss mechanical and electrical improvements.

School Board Vice Chair Steve Arnhalt explained the boards vision and objectives.

We want students to achieve and that comes in different ways academic, extracurricular and socially. We have many things to focus on and every decision we make as a board, we ask ourselves, how do we add value?

He explained the facilities assessment that was done by In Gensa, which showed needed improvements for maintenance and infrastructure updates. The elementary-middle school was built in 1934 and the high school was built in 1969.

For budgeting purposes, the district was asked to estimate the useful life of each building. The board determined 15 years for the elementary school, as its 80 years old.

We began to prioritize what we need to do to keep that facility and infrastructure there to be a viable facility to educate our kids for 15 years, Arnhalt explained.

Security improvements and upgrades at the elementary school will include using the left front entrance doors as the schools main entrance.

This is to force anyone coming to the school during school hours to have to go through the office so you know who is in your building, explained Luke Pfotenhauer, In Gensa.

The office area will be redesigned and include a nurses station, conference room and work stations for office staff.

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School referendum dollars put to use