Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 2017)
Wednesday, May 3, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Elementary School and Sisters High School. Project Manager Brett Hudson told The Nugget that remodel- ing for enhanced security at Sisters Middle School is extensive enough to be dis- ruptive to staff, so it will be undertaken during Phase 3 in the summer of 2018, when the impact can be managed and minimized. (The project list and a project “road map” are available at http://ssd6.org/ bondoverview/.) Hudson said that Sisters’ harsh winter had little effect on projects. “It hasn’t hurt us too bad on scheduling,” he said. The weather did, how- ever, point up some addi- tional work that needs to be done — mostly sidewalk work and improving drain- age around buildings, and installing downspouts where there was a large build-up of ice. Hudson says that that work can be funded through savings in other areas of the overall project. The security changes at the schools involve some extensive entryway remod- eling to create a single con- trolled access point into the schools, and visitor and late- entry check-in at the offices at all three schools. At Sisters High School, for example, there will be a new separate entrance for guests and post- admission-time entry. The schools are also installing electronic key cards for anyone who accesses the schools. The district can then track who is entering the school buildings. “It gives us a better under- standing of who’s coming and going from our buildings,” said Superintendent Curt Scholl. The security changes Homemade breakfasts, ESPRESSO, lunches & baked goods, take-n-bake pizzas need — which put Sisters at the bottom of the list based on demographics — and a lottery for those that did not qualify on a needs basis. Fortunately for Sisters, several districts that were ahead of Sisters in the lottery did not pass their bonds and thus fell out of the running for matching funds. Sisters moved up the list — as did other schools that succeeded at the ballot box. “All the schools that passed bonds got money,” Scholl said. The Sisters School Board recently approved tapping into the grant funds to fund construction of a new bus barn/shop near the high school. The new facility will serve a number of purposes — improving maintenance facilities for the district’s buses and providing easy access and shop facilities for high school CTE (Career Technical Education) students to work and take classes in. “We don’t have anything like that, so it will be an addi- tion to the offerings of Sisters PHOTO BY JIM CORNELIUS Condracdors are finishing work on adhledic facilidies and moving on do securidy. Elementary School, which High School,” Hudson said. The project offers some has long been crowded and a bit chaotic. attractive efficiencies. A bond oversight commit- “It wasn’t a project on our bond list,” Hudson said. “The tee has been meeting regu- idea is not to build two shops.” larly to keep track of proj- In addition, the decommis- ects and expenses. Hudson sioning of the current bus barn and Scholl said the district is adjacent to Sisters Elementary working on generating a one- School could potentially free page budget-to-actual run- up some space for staff park- down of projects so far. That ing, which would in turn help snapshot is expected to be with a redesign and improve- available to the public within ment of parking at Sisters a month or so. CONGRATULATE YOUR OUTLAW! GH SC HO O L C LAS S O F 20 2 01 17 7 Continued from page 1 reflect changing times and a changed society — even in small-town Sisters. “People are used to just opening the door and walk- ing in and walking down the hall,” said Hudson. “But we just can’t have that anymore. It’s part of the growth of our society, I think. And it’s the expectation of the commu- nity to protect the kids and I think these are the right steps to take.” Hudson noted that some of the project installations — like security technology and new kitchen equipment — have been handled in-house, saving money on the project. The district is also auto- mating systems, including HVAC, lighting, generator back-up and monitoring of food-storage. Those improve- ments are expected to make the district’s maintenance work more efficient and cre- ate operational savings. Automation is expected to improve scheduling, mini- mize circumstances when the schools are heating or cooling empty buildings, and allow maintenance crews to identify equipment and system prob- lems earlier. Operations director Ryan Stock notes that the district is replacing exterior lighting with LED lighting. Right now, exterior lights require yearly inspection and changeouts. “When they’ve changed over to LED, you might not go out there for 20 years,” Stock said. There will be some LED lighting installed on interiors as well, Stock said. Hudson said that his guid- ing principles in managing the projects are creation of operational savings; improv- ing building longevity; and enhancing student experience/ outcomes. The district is the ben- eficiary of a windfall from a $4 million state matching grant — one the school board had pretty much given up on during the bond campaign. The grant pool was based on SISTERS H IGH SCHO OL C L ASS O F 2 0 1 7 PROJECTS: Three phases lined out for work CLASS OF 2017 SISTERS HIGH SCHOOL 22 Daisy Mae Mag ill li i c u tt Youve done y hard, you great kid! Kee e ep p try ying will reach yo ou ur r go g o als! Mom & D ad ker Ginger Gayle Ba Dan t e “ e are so ead. W Great things are ah lishment. proud of your accomp Mom & Dad Dude” D avis Kee p s se e eing the b pers r s onality right side! Your shines bri ght! Uncle Bu ck Actual size Feature your GRADUATING OUTLAW in the June 14 issue of The Nugget for just $99. It’s fun and easy... The Th RAINWATER R A I N NW W A T E R C CAFE, A F E PIZZERIA & GIFT SHOP 161 E. Cascade Ave., Sisters Open every day 8 a.m.-7 p.m. In Town Square • 541-904-0153 GLUTEN-FREE AND VEGAN OPTIONS Provide a photo of your choice (senior photo, adorable baby pic, funny kid) with student’s name and brief sentiments from a friend or loved one. Submit your tribute online at bit.ly/nuggetgrad or call Karen Kassy at 541-549-9941
