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5/01/13 > Kindergarten Registration
We are asking for all perspective Kindergartners for 13-14 to be registered by May 10th. This allows us to plan accordingly for the incoming class. Kindergartners must be 5 years of age by December 1st, 2013. Registration forms are available on the website or at any of the offices. Forms can also be mailed to those interested as requested.

We are also continuing to explore the possibility of a Prekindergarten class. If you have a child that will be 4 years of age by December 1, 2013, and may be interested in a future PreK program, please contact the Elementary or District Office.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the district office at 315-653-7218 ext 4042.

Rich
4/25/13 > Additional Emergency Days - May 16th and 17th
During our project meeting yesterday, I received confirmation that our contractors could use a couple days to on the K-2 wing without traffic involved. The work involved will make the use of the parking lot inaccessable. Since we have three remaining emergency (snow) days, two of them will be used on May 16th and 17th as vacation days for students and most staff. Only particular personnel will be allowed in the building during that day as needed. Also, all students who attend off campus programs at BOCES or other locals will be provided transport for those two days. If you have any questions, please contact either the High School or District Office. Thank you for being willing to adjust as the capital project continues full steam ahead for a K-12 September opening.
4/12/13 > Parking Changes
Below is a memo that was sent out to all personnel including students who drive to school. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let me know at 315-653-7128 ext 4042 or rhughes@ovcs.org


April 12, 2013

To: School Personnel and students
From: Richard Hughes, Superintendent
Re: Parking

With the project moving full speed ahead, we need to make a few adjustments as it relates to parking.

Student Parking
Starting on Monday, April 15th there will be a designated parking zone for students at the far end of the parking lot, between the orange line and white lines, near the baseball field. Due to the limited number of spaces, only seniors will have the privilege of parking in this area. Juniors will not be able to park on campus or along the property line.

Staff parking
In front of the white line, is designated for staff. Other areas will also be designated by stakes at the front of the building and along the district office/delivery driveway. If parking in staked areas, please pull up to the stake line. These areas may be adjusted depending on construction.

Visitor and handicapped Parking
Visitor parking and handicapped parking designated along the fence must remain available. Parking for the May 21st budget vote/concert/Class of 2016 dinner/8th grade parent night will be an issue. We will have to make adjustments accordingly.

Other Parking
The Baptist Church has given us permission for the contractors to use their parking lot. This is not to be used by students.
Parking at the Town of Otselic offices is off limits except for those with Town business.
Parking at the Grange is only allowed by prior permission from the District Office.
Parking at Mrs. Allen’s is by her permission only.
The access road around the building is not to be used at any time unless permission is granted by the district office.
All other parking not mentioned previously is subject to the rules of the property owner.

Future Parking
As part of the May 21st budget vote, a referendum will be presented to voters on the property closest to the construction trailer. If the vote passes and the district is able to come to an agreement, additional parking will be created in this area.


We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments accordingly. Parking may change at any time to accommodate and/or expedite construction. Thank you for your patience during this time of change and excitement.
4/01/13 > Construction Update
While students are on Spring Break, there is a lot of activity at the High School. Last week, Bette & Cring began the demolition of the bus garage and the former biology room. As of this afternoon, the bus garage is no more. Inside the school, the new K-12 office is already taking shape with framing and drywall being put up. It is amazing to see how quickly things are happening and it’s just the beginning.

The construction schedule has us on a tight time line to have all students start the 13-14 school year on one campus. Even though it is tight, Campus Construction Management, TKF Architects and our contractors all agree we will be able to occupy most areas by the end of August. The work being done on the new K-12 office is critical so that the current high school and district office can be vacated to become temporary classrooms for the last month of the school year. Classrooms in the music wing will be moved in later May so that work can begin on that wing which will then tie into the K-2 wing, new technology room and expanded music room. Shortly, construction will be on the K-2 wing and a two classroom addition to the current 5th-6th grade area. The two additional classrooms will allow all of our 3rd-6th students to be in the same area. All of these areas will be ready for the start of the school year.

The build over the current technology and art wing involves considerable steel work. To install the steel, large trusses will need to be swung over the top of the wing. This work cannot be completed while the school is student occupied. The tentative plan as this point is to schedule a couple of the unused emergency days in mid-May (most likely the 16th and 17th) to allow more time for the contractors to swing the steel into place. More information will be provided as we get closer to the steel being installed

We have planned for contingencies if classrooms in the overbuild are not ready to start the school year. Temporary classrooms will be set up in the rooms slated to become the fitness center, district office, conference room and tutoring/blended learning room. Accordingly the library, district office and fitness center will be the last room construction completed at the K-12 building. The library has a current completion date in mid-November followed by the district office area in early December. Once all the room moves are completed, finishing work throughout the building will be done culminating in renovations to the gymnasium in Spring 2014. Due to the floor and bleachers being replaced, this work has to take place well after all other HVAC and electrical work are completed.

The work to renovate the current primary wing at the Elementary School into the transportation facility will begin this Fall after school begins. The expected completion date is Summer 2014 with the closeout off all construction at both buildings by September 2014. There is much work to be completed over the next 16 months with certainly bumps and inconveniences along the way. More updates will follow as we move along with construction. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at either 315-653-7218 ext. 4047 or rhughes@ovcs.org
3/27/13 > Proposed Property Purchase
At the March 20th Board meeting, the BOE adopted two resolutions that will be put up for public vote at the same time as the budget on May 21st. The first involves a purchase of a new 66 passenger C2 Thomas bus. With the move to one campus, our overall fleet will be smaller. The addition of a new bus will be used as a replacement for an older bus to keep maintenance and mileage costs down. The bus will match the other Thomas buses we currently have in service. As in prior years, the $112,168 cost of the bus will be covered by funds saved to make such purchases thereby not resulting in a separate tax increase.

The second resolution will be to ask permission of the public to purchase the property located at 148 County Road 13 in South Otselic. The currently vacant property is next to the driveway entering next to the bus garage. A school district cannot sell or purchase property without a positive vote from the community. The resolution lists purchasing the property at a cost of no more than $30,000. An area realtor listed the comparable value of the property at $10,000. The additional funds would allow us room to negotiate with JPMorgan Chase since there is a current lien on the property. Since my arrival in the Valley, I have heard many concerns of parking at school events. Being able to purchase the property would allow us to provide additional parking while also providing a clear view to the school from 13.

The ultimate decision on both votes will be up to the community. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at rhughes@ovcs.org or 653-7218.