Northeast Nodaway continues upgrades

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The Northeast Nodaway R-V construction project is underway. After the bond issue was approved in April and the blueprints were approved in July, construction crews have been working diligently to complete the project by Christmas, according to superintendent Jeff Mehlenbacher.

As a result of a $416,000 general bond obligation bond issue, passed in April, the Northeast Nodaway R-V School District has been undergoing several changes.

The bond issue included several upgrades and additions to the district’s building including expanding the library, enclosing the north exit doors, adding a weight room, and two classrooms, all without requiring an increase in the current levy.

According to superintendent Jeff Mehlenbacher, the construction project is estimated to be complete on time, sometime before Christmas.

“The framing is nearly complete, with the exterior brick, roof and windows to be ordered and then installed,” Mehlenbacher said. “The electrician is working to complete his work, and we will begin wiring for online capabilities this week.”

The additional classrooms will create needed space for speech, technology, Parents as Teachers, Title I Reading, smaller reading and math groups, SPED testing, and social worker visits.

The construction project also relocates the weight room from its current location on the stage. The stage was not built to support that kind of weight over time and if the weight room would’ve stayed, it would have needed to be supported from underneath in the old locker room.

During the board of education meeting earlier this month, Principal Linda Mattson announced the 2015-16 school year enrollment numbers. In the junior high and high school, there are 88 students, while there are 124 elementary school students. and pre-K has 18 children.

Also during the meeting, the school board approved the 2016 senior graduation date, which is scheduled to be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 8, 2016.