Barry Cain

This week's article focuses on the referendum projects at the middle school and high school that simply address aging infrastructure. I encourage all residents to visit our website at  https://www.ellsworth.k12.wi.us/page/facility-referendum-2024 for much more information about the referendum, including a short video that provides specific information on these projects that are included in our April 2, 2024 Facility Referendum.

Although not as exciting as other elements of the referendum, these projects are an essential element to effective facilities planning and management. Our facilities maintenance plan is ongoing and continually monitored as we identify our most pressing needs. This plan provides us with information that shapes our yearly budget as well as our longer range planning for the many maintenance projects we must consider to effectively maintain our schools, grounds, and transportation infrastructure.

The vast majority of projects being proposed to address aging infrastructure are related to many of the systems that are original to the middle school when it opened in 1996, while much of the work at the high school dates back to the late 1990’s. Typical projects include the replacement of flooring, windows, air handlers, exterior doors, etc.

As I wrote in an earlier article, we focus on a number of high priority maintenance projects in all of our buildings but annual school district budgets do not provide for the long-term needs that build in the area of facility maintenance. Here are some examples of recent projects completed at the middle school as a part of our annual maintenance planning processes.

• Student and teacher classroom furniture replacement in all classrooms. (2022-2023)
• Chiller (air conditioning) unit replacement (2022-2023)
• Exterior block maintenance and replacement (2021-2022)
• Phone system replacement (2021-2022)
• Security camera upgrades (2021-2022)
• Gymnasium renovation including gym floor and bleacher replacement along with painting. (2019-2020)
• Carpet/flooring replacement in classrooms and offices. (budgeted yearly as needed)

I hope you find the video helpful in better understanding the proposed projects. If there are any questions about any of the projects being proposed in the April 2 Facilities Referendum, please visit our referendum website, give me a call at 715-273-3900 or email me at cainb@ellsworth.k12.wi.us.