Five-year maintenance plan presented
By Holly Neumann
At a recent Manawa School Board meeting, the Youth Risk Behavior Committee presented more of its Youth at Risk Survey.
The survey, which was done on a strictly volunteer basis, assessed such things as bullying, drug use, mental health and other areas of concern.
The biggest area of concern came from alcohol use, where the study indicated that a high percentage of students have consumed at least one drink in the last 30 days.
“Our averages were higher than other state averages,” said Lori Miller. “Our student code of conduct is very important, but we also have to offer these kids something to do, so this no longer happens.”
Drug use was also a concern.
“We have all heard about the rise of Heroine use in our area,” said Megan Driebel. “We need to bring awareness and preventions to our local communities.”
The committee suggested bringing the group Rise Together to the school for a presentation.
According to Driebel, Rise Together targets drug problems in small, rural communities to bring awareness and prevention.
“This is a group of former addicts,” she said. “Their goal is to visit communities and get it caught now, before it becomes a problem. It brings a face and voice to recovery.”
A major concern is that parents have the belief that it is not in their community or it is not their child.
“It’s out there and kids are finding it,” said Trisha Taber, school nurse. “It is happening and kids are telling us about it.”
Wolfgram noted that the district is tentatively looking to bring Rise Together here in October of 2015.
“We are looking for cost sharing and funding to make this happen,” he said.
In other business, the Building and Grounds Committee reviewed the 5-Year Maintenance Plan that was developed by a consultant.
“We have about three lists of maintenance needs,” said Russ Hollman, who chairs the committee. “We will be looking at those more closely.”
Some areas of concern include the Cascade room, which needs about $15,000 in updates, and also the water softener in the high school, which is not working at all.
“If we are going to move swiftly on the water softener, that would also have to include a shut off valve and it needs to be included,” said Dan Wolfgram, principal of Little Wolf Junior/Senior High School.
Hollman estimated cost of this would be about $9,000.
In addition, other valves will also need to be replaced to control heat to various rooms throughout the elementary school at a cost of $300 apiece. The committee will be seeking bids for replacing them.
Hollman further addressed the board regarding a safety issue from a parent about after-school bussing.
“This is a dangerous situation, with an accident waiting to happen,” he said. “We need to figure out a plan for next year, so we can get a safe flow of traffic.”
He suggested the possibility of a school safety patrol.
In addition, the committee will be looking at the possibility of crossing guards.
In other business the Board approved the acceptance of a Wisconsin Environmental Education Board grant in the amount of $5,000. The grant will be used for science and environmental education curriculum writing.