Chuck Futterer
Two representatives of ESG, the firm that installed Cook County Schools’ new heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) system, reported to the school board Monday, June 15, 2009 that the district has saved about $40,000 in heating and utility costs in the last year and a half since the new boilers were installed.
The improvements have been made in steps, with final adjustments to be made by the end of the summer. Once all the work has been done, the firm expects a savings of $71,000 a year (based on baseline rates from 2006) and has guaranteed an annual savings of at least $67,000. The actual savings will be larger as fuel and utility costs go up.
Brian Peters of ESG said that the firm will track energy savings for the next 15 years. The school’s contract includes preventive maintenance, boiler tune-ups, and training for maintenance staff. The boilers have a life expectancy of about 25 years.
Michael Eckhart of ESG reported that the boilers performed well throughout this last year, which was quite cold and windy. They provided heat evenly throughout the facility, he said.
» Charting the way with charters
Principal Gwen Carman gave her monthly report to the school board, thanking Superintendent Chuck Futterer and CCHS Principal John Engelking for all their help preparing her to take on the K-12 principal position in the fall.
Carman reported that she went up to Grand Portage Elementary School to say goodbye while ISD 166 property was being removed from the school. In the fall, Oshki Ogimaag, the charter school replacing the ISD 166 program, will take over the elementary wing of the Grand Portage Community Center.
Even though the closing of the Grand Portage school was planned for some time, Carman said, it was difficult to say goodbye.
Leonard Sobanja said he and fellow board member Eric Kemp met with the directors of the three charter schools in Cook County: Birch Grove, Great Expectations, and Oshki Ogimaag. All those at the meeting agreed that working cooperatively is in the best interest of the kids, Sobanja said. Cook County’s schools can be compared with its tourist associations, which are also in competition with each other, he said, but they collaborate and pool their resources for the common good. In the case of the schools, the common good is what’s good for the kids, Sobanja said.
» Proposal for shared garages
County Engineer Shae Kosmalski asked the school board for up to $1,040 to help pay for a consultant to investigate the feasibility of a multi-agency facility to be used for transportation offices, maintenance, and storage of equipment, vehicles, and road salt. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Arrowhead Transit, and the City of Grand Marais have already signed on, and upon the approval of the school board, Kosmalski planned to take the agreements to the county board. ISD 166 was asked to pay 13% of the consultant costs, based on its expected use of the proposed facility.
Having more space for storage could increase vehicle life, Kosmalski said, and buying in greater bulk would save everyone money. Kosmalski’s proposal was to hire David Skelton, who is working on a fourth combined maintenance facility after retiring as St. Louis County deputy chief of maintenance. One of Skelton’s projects was in Ely, a community similar in size to Grand Marais. “I think he’s going to get us to a place where he’ll save us money,” Kosmalski said. At least 20 joint facilities are currently in operation throughout the state, she said.
The process would go one step at a time without making any final decisions right away, Kosmalski said. One of the next steps would be to have the consultant determine what the financial benefits and cost share would be for each agency.
Rod Wannebo asked if each agency would continue to have separate staff all under the same roof. Sharing employees is a possibility, Kosmalski said, but has been difficult in some places because of union contracts. One agency could purchase services from another agency, however.
Theboard unanimously passed a motion to pay the requested share of the cost of Skelton’s services, which would be provided between now and December 1.
» Sale of West End bus garage
In closed session, the school board voted to put the district’s school garage at Birch Grove Community Center up for sale at a price of $37,000. According to Superintendent Futterer, its usefulness to the district was not worth the cost of maintaining and insuring the building. The board agreed to a one-year multiple listing agreement with Backlund Realty.
» Budget challenges
In the face of declining enrollment, the school board has reduced its budget by over $1.1 million in the last two years, Chuck Futterer told the board. In fiscal year 2010, the district’s fund balance is expected to decrease to $414,000, down from $1,095,334 in 2004 and $1,212,722 in 2006.
Next year’s K-12 enrollment is projected at 494, down from 519 this last year and heading toward a projected 448 for the 2011-2012 school year.
Wages for office and auxiliary staff, which are non-union, will receive no cost of living increases over the next two school years.
Leonard Sobanja reported that one staff member in the superintendent’s office sent a letter requesting a salary increase to reflect additional responsibilities in her job description. The board will discuss the request at a later date, but Superintendent Futterer said everyone in his office has had duties added to her job description and is expected to simply do more for the same wages.
» Superintendent hellos and goodbyes
Theschool board scheduled a half-day workshop for Tuesday, July 14 with Beth Schwarz, the new superintendent who will assume her post on July 1. Eric Kemp proposed a series of meetings with her to discuss “where we’re all at” and the direction of the district. The workshop will take place from 8:00 a.m. to noon at a location yet to be determined.
At his last regular school board meeting before taking over as superintendent of Virginia schools, Chuck Futterer thanked the faculty and staff for all their dedication and good work. “The district is blessed to have such fine people working for it,” he said.
Board Chair Bill Huggins expressed his appreciation to Futterer as well. “We’d like to thank him for his years of service to the district,” he said. “I think he’s done a great job.”
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