With news release provided by Prescott School District

PRESCOTT – The Prescott School Board moved forward in addressing its facilities needs by selecting Eau Claire-based Market & Johnson to provide project management services to address the district’s immediate infrastructure needs.

After narrowing the applicant pool to two vendors, the board heard presentations from the contenders on Wednesday, April 28.

“Both of the final companies have excellent reputations, and would have done an excellent job, but the school board and district personnel felt the Market & Johnson team was the best fit for our community and the facility project that lays ahead at this time” said Superintendent Dr. Rick Spicuzza.

Market & Johnson’s is headquartered in Eau Claire with additional offices in La Crosse and Oakdale, Minn. The company focuses primarily on the education market and has local experience and strong references from several nearby districts: Somerset, Frederic, Spring Valley, Luck and Sparta.

The project management team will start by reviewing facilities findings from SDS’s August 2019 report to address four phases specified in the request for proposal: 1. Planning 2. Referendum and Information 3. Development and Bids 4. Implementation and Closeout.

An important aspect throughout the process is to inform and engage the Prescott community through informational sessions, facility walk-throughs, and advisory committee(s). By late fall, Market & Johnson will have prioritized and identified immediate infrastructure needs to formulate a scope and sequence for the district’s February 2022 referendum question.

At the April 21 school board meeting, possible infrastructure needs mentioned included roofs, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and building use of space. Generational costs go beyond what an annual budget can afford; some things need to be replaced that are at the end of their life cycle.

Summer school

Summer school starts June 14 and goes through July 2 from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. For classes outside of those hours, parents are asked to provide transportation.

Some highlights include:

•High school Spanish enrichment will be offered June 14July 2 1-2:30 p.m.

•Swimming lessons will take place at the Ellsworth pool July 5-16 and Aug. 2-13.

•Band and choir camps are scheduled for Aug. 6-12.

•New courses offered include Physical Science for incoming freshmen; Geometry for freshmen and sophomores June 14-July 2 and July 12-30 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Spanish; CAD/CNC Technology & Design from 8 a.m. to noon June 7-18; Phy Ed June 7-July 30 (25 sessions so kids can take more electives during the school year.)

•17 virtual summer school class options.

•Non-credit courses offered: Driver’s Education, Speed & Strength, band and choir camps.

Other business from April 21

•Prescott High School Student Council members reported a survey of 296 PHS students showed 44.26 percent had witnessed discrimination at PHS, while 14.53 percent said they had experienced discrimination. The council has plans for a mural and anti-discrimination pledge.

•PHS Forensics received 11 gold medals, nine silver and four bronze at the virtual state competition in April.

•Prescott School District revealed a new intuitive website at 6 a.m. April 26.

•The board approved the resignation of school psychologist Kayla Fecht effective June 4. She is moving back to her hometown.

•The board approved the resignation of PHS school counselor Mikayla Akers, effective April 23. She left for family reasons.

•The board approved the resignation of Athletic Director Matt Smith, effective June 30. He has accepted a position in the River Falls School District.

•The board approved the hiring of Director of Food Service Maggie Schmidt, effective April 26. She is from Oakdale, Minn.

•The board approved the hiring of music teacher (K-5) Faith Siewert, who will replace Deb Carlson, who is retiring.

•In memory of Tayler Garza, the family wants to create the Lac du Flambeau Club; students will be selected for scholarships to attend reservation programming.