Jasper Schools Undergo Facilities Review

The various schools and support buildings of the Jasper School District were recently visited by a specified team of facility observers.

This team consisted of school district officials such as: superintendents, facilities managers and central office staff from mostly neighboring school districts. Led by Ms. Deborah Robertson, regional state facilities consultant, the team made the rounds to view each Jasper School and discuss problem areas as well as facility improvements already performed.

The local Board of Education had developed a five year plan for facilities management which could include specifics like HVAC and roof upgrades or broad facility renovations and even new construction.

The BOE also involved the community by organizing a team in 2014 to recommend priorities for ELOST dollars toward goals addressed in the plan. The visiting State Facilities Team reviewed this existing plan.

Dr. Mike Newton, District Superintendent, welcomed the visiting State Facilities Review Team and highlighted the tour of the high school with a visit to the bio-tech and art programs plus the ECE lab.

The Primary School displayed HVAC/roof work and the group observed the Middle School and Washington Park Elementary. Dr. Newton commented, “The Facilities Team Report will be posted on the April BOE agenda soon.

In a brief summary, the local plan was approved, and the team was impressed with our grounds and to the careful thought and time that had gone into the plan itself.

Dr. Newton extended special thanks to Anne Harrison (Business and Finance), Perry Hyde (Facilities and Maintenance) and the grounds keeping team of Jim and Lauree Belcher. The approval of the five year plan allows the School District to receive state aid toward facility improvements.