Hampton school district five-year plan presented

The five-year facilities improvement plan providing a list of improvement projects throughout the school district was presented at the Hampton Township School Board meeting April 1.

The plan is a guide to various needs throughout the buildings and grounds of the school district from 2019-20 to 2023-24, according to Rick Farino, supervisor of the building and grounds department.

This report covers potential projects with cost projections of between $5,000 and $40,000, and does not include major projects such as Fridley Field track replacement, parking lot renovations or the roof replacement, which is being investigated at Central Elementary. Jeff Kline, director of administration, said it’s for smaller, “more annual projects.”

The school district’s preliminary 2019-20 budget, which will cover more major expenses, such as staffing for next year, will be presented at its first presentation at a special school board meeting on April 29, at 7 p.m., at the Hampton Middle School library. The public is invited.

Denise Balason, a school board member who is also facilities chairperson, said the five-year capital plan can act as a guide for planning purposes. Items and projects listed in future years are “necessary expenses that we should keep on our radar.”

Farino works closely with administrators throughout the year to determine needs in their buildings or areas, said Balason.

“Careful multi-year planning allows us to budget and prepare for the larger expenses involved in the maintenance and improvement of the district’s facilities. It’s our goal to keep our facilities in optimal shape for the longest period possible and at a reasonable cost to taxpayers. We also want to anticipate and therefore prevent unexpected problems or breakdowns,” Balason said.

District-wide, overall totals were listed for high, middle and all three elementary schools, as well as athletic, administration, maintenance, technology and HVAC departments.

So far, grand totals district-wide in the five-year plan include $194,502 for 2019-20; $144,575 for 2020-21; $91,875 for 2021-22; and $30,575 for 2022-23. No grand totals were listed yet for 2023-24.

The kitchen/cafeteria department is not listed, as it comes out of another fund.

However, not much was listed except for new cafeteria table replacements for the coming school years.

Each building or facility was presented in the report. Hampton High School did not have much on its sheet, as it readies for an upcoming major renovation.

Hampton Middle School had requests for auditorium and library renovations or additions, and classroom carpeting and desk replacements.

The roof repairs are requested at $5,000 for the 2019-20 school year, but the document noted a total replacement will be needed as the roof installed in 2002 is nearing the end of its life expectancy.

These totals and requests could change over the years as more needs become apparent.

The board may address budgeting ideas for the high school renovation at the April 29 board meeting, per a timeline presented last month.