By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh Board of Education members received an update Monday night on making a proposed athletic complex a reality. Bill Wright, Director of Business and Finance, outlined steps that would be taken over the next couple of months toward that end, noting that a final Design Team meeting was held on January 21 with Foresite Design with several coaches present.

Wright said that work continues on fine-tuning the budget prior to placing the specifications into the public bidding process. Once the budget information is complete, the district will be able to size the financing and allocate expenditures to either the capital projects fund or an installment purchase agreement (IPA). The schedule includes the following: Project Update – Jan. 26; Release bids, submit to Bureau of Construction Codes – Jan. 28; Pre-Bid meeting, Feb. 6; Bid opening – Feb. 20, 10 a.m.; Post-bid interviews (including meeting with local contractors) – Feb. 23-27, dates to be finalized; Bid recommendation from Foresite Design, Inc. – March 2; and Board approval of recommend bids – March 9.

Wright also said that an IPA for District technology equipment is being put together separate from the other funding with a timeline not to exceed six years in duration. The district had previously discussed allocating approximately $300,000 for technology upgrades but addressed board member concerns about funding such projects using long-term loans when equipment becomes obsolete so quickly.

“I think it’s wonderful that we’re considering doing the technology separate,” said Jason Sines, who had voiced concerns at an earlier meeting. “It’s a smart idea. Hopefully we can get on a cycle of updating technology like we do with textbooks,” he said.
Wright noted that additional IPAs for the athletic complex would go before the Board for approval after the final bids are accepted, however, final bid responses would determine the overall project financing needed.

Wright also discussed a federal stimulus package with a total package of $825 billion being proposed, with some funding reportedly earmarked toward K-12 education. He said the district has been asked by Michigan School Business Officials and the Michigan Department of Treasury to resubmit construction needs to be considered for the developing legislation. The district is using the opportunity to submit some of the items listed in the failed bond proposal, since these previously had been approved by the state agencies. Wright said there is a slight possibility as well that there could be some reimbursement toward energy bond funded items.
“That’s just a possibility,” said Wright.

In other business, the board members:
• Approved an agreement between Tecumseh Public Schools and the Lenawee county Clerk-Local Clerk-School Board Secretaries/Library Board Representatives to conduct School/Library District 2009/10 elections.
• Recognized the Tecumseh High School Girls State Swim Team; and School Board Members for School Board Recognition Month.
• Approved a resolution authorizing the district’s annual election in May. One four-year seat is open. Incumbent Debbie Johnson-Berges is undecided as to whether she will run for the seat.
• Discussed cell phone restrictions at Tecumseh High School, noting that students are not allowed to use the phones during school hours and they must be kept in lockers or can be confiscated. THS Principal, Bob Scheick, said some schools have been having problems with students using the phones’ cameras for inappropriate purposes. Another issue of concern is if a cell phone is found during a test such as the ACT or Michigan Merit Exam, even if someone forgot they had it in their bag and it were to ring, all tests would be nullified.
• Public comments included students stating the benefits of having a weight room, both from an athletic and personal standpoint, and a request to include concession stands at the new athletic complex facility.