NEN continues building improvements

A crew from P&C Construction works to close in the breezeway at the Northeast Nodaway school between the main building and the ag shop. The breezeway is part of a list of other building updates being made including a new library, gym and classroom renovations, and additional classrooms.

After the completion of its new library and additional classroom building projects, the Northeast Nodaway school district is completing one final thing before the start of the new school year.

The school board, during its June meeting, approved a contract with P&C Construction on a $39,300 project to build a breezeway between the main school building and the ag shop.

The project will double as an added security measure, also keeping the students out of the elements when traveling between buildings.

“The enclosure has been an item on our short- and long-term facilities and safety-planning lists, and will allow us to keep these exterior doors locked during the day,” Superintendent Jeff Mehlenbacher said.

The most recent classroom addition was financed in part with a no-tax-increase bond, combined with funds from the district’s reserves. Because the project was under budget, the district was able to move up the timetable for the ag enclosure.

What makes these building projects that much better for the school district, and for Mehlenbacher, is remembering where the district was just a few years ago.

When Mehlenbacher first arrived nine years ago, the district’s financial state was not good. The district had two aged buildings that were not efficient, and the reserve funds were dipping to alarming lows.

The funds were so low in fact that Mehlenbacher had discussions with the board about state mandated cuts the district may have to make in order to avoid using up all reserves.

But good fiscal management and tough choices by Mehlenbacher and those that serve on the school board have helped the district build reserves from just 3 percent of the annual budget, to over 40 percent. The state requires a 30-percent reserve fund.

“I have been pleased with our ability to provide the best education possible for our students,” Mehlenbacher said. “This has included evaluating every aspect of the district annually and strategically planning for improvement in all areas of school life for our students and patrons. We have been fiscally responsible, and the board has made some difficult decisions over the years to place us in a position to make improvements when needed.”

While Mehlenbacher is unsure of the exact timetable for the completion of the breezeway project, he anticipates it being finished within the first few weeks of the school year.