The MFL MarMac School Board hopes selecting an architectural firm in the coming month will provide direction on larger district planning efforts—including how to best use the former Commercial Vehicle Group (CVG) property acquired in February.

“There’s been a lot of conversations about this the last few weeks,” superintendent Tim Dugger told the school board at its July 20 meeting.

Board member Tonya Meyer asked that the CVG building be put on the agenda, and questioned whether a survey or forum gathering community input could guide the board. She and fellow board member Marti Post even wondered if a subcommittee would be helpful.

“I haven’t heard any clear directive,” Meyer said.

At the time of the purchase, it was noted that the district would pay for half of the asbestos abatement at the CVG property, a process Dugger said is now nearly complete. Clayton County Recycling had also offered to demolish all existing buildings and remove the materials at no cost to the district, with the exception of the hoop building.

Since then, the board postponed construction of a new bus garage near the current facility on West Davis Street. It also received a facilities condition assessment report to help prioritize projects based on needs and goals. Unfortunately, the CVG property was purchased after other district holdings were surveyed.

These developments have left some questions about how to proceed with the CVG land.

“My feelings about the buildings haven’t really changed. I haven’t seen compelling evidence not to tear them down,” said school board president Jonathon Moser. “We talked about shifting things around for the bus barn…”

He also listed a gymnasium and practice facility among potential uses for the site. They are items that have previously been discussed by the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) and facilities committee.

“But not in relation to that specific property,” Meyer noted. “That’s a newly purchased property.”

Although the facilities report did not provide feedback on the CVG property itself, an architect can, Dugger said. The board plans to interview three reputable firms next week, then make a selection at its Aug. 10 meeting. He said all are aware of the property and the district’s desire for guidance.

“I think we need to get the architect first, then maybe they can give us direction,” he said.

Board member Joshua Grau agreed.

“I like the idea of getting the architect involved. I think we really need to narrow down where we’re going to put this bus complex/work area. They might come in and say the bus situation down below, where we’ve moved the dirt, doesn’t make as much sense as doing it over at the CVG spot. We need a bit of guidance,” he stated.

“I don’t mind having public opinion,” Grau continued, “but I think that’s putting the cart before the horse. I think we need to pick an architect, get their honest and professional opinions. ‘Hey, here’s a few options we’re looking at. What works best? Who do we need to consult next?’ Then we go from there.”

When the CVG complex is on the agenda, Moser said the public is welcome to comment on its potential use. He hopes the elected board is representative of the public’s opinions, too.

Until then, he also advocated seeking guidance from the facilities report and eventual architectural firm.

“There’s going to be a lot of planning. I think we need to look at the report and really dial in on what things on that list need to be done first based on the betterment of the students,” he said.

Down the road, there’s no saying the public couldn’t be more involved, Post suggested.

“After getting that information, it could potentially make sense to have a forum or listening session where, if there were different options, to present that and solicit feedback,” she said.

CVG wasn’t the only facility discussed at last week’s meeting. Dugger told the board the school district is starting the process of purchasing the Little Bulldog Childcare building from the city of Monona. He anticipates MFL MarMac will take ownership in September, when a USDA loan is paid in full.

As a result, the board approved a 10-year 28E agreement with Smith and Bulldog Childcare and Learning Centers, which Dugger said “lays out the structure of who’s responsible for what.”

Per the agreement, “the city of Monona is completely out of it,” he stated. The daycare and Head Start programs will remain in the upper level of the building, while the school district will use the lower level for 3- and 4-year-old preschool.

MFL MarMac will no longer pay rent to the daycare. It will instead receive rent from Head Start as well as $1 per month from the daycare.

“We’re going to keep it very low. I don’t really want to charge them, but we have to charge them something,” Dugger told the board. “Our hope is that moving all of our classes to the basement that, on the main floor, they’re going to expand the program. They said they could make more money if they had another room, which they will now, because we’re dividing the lower room in the basement in half. We can meet our needs for space and they get the needs for their space.”

The district will also continue to support the daycare through other means such as utilities, workers’ comp, insurance and technology, according to Dugger.

“You can see we provide a lot for them,” he said.

Dugger is hopeful a multi-year grant that will support daycare staff wages will help Little Bulldog financially as well.

Still, board member Aaron Schroeder was skeptical, citing previously noted financial strain.

“I’m just a little concerned on the length of the agreement, for not really knowing how things are going to shake out. To make sure they stay afloat,” he said.

Schroeder also sought assurances on staff training and quality standards.

“Are there penalties for breaking the agreement?” he asked.

Dugger assured MFL MarMac’s general policies will cover expectations, and the daycare operates under the state’s IQ4K child care quality rating system, which calls on them to meet specific requirements.

Elementary principal Abbey Cottrell has also become more involved with the daycare board.

“I’m a non-voting member, but I can talk about the school’s perspective,” she explained. “I went to their meeting tonight and we were talking about some fundraising opportunities and how they can continue to provide resources to the district.”

Moser referenced the amount of work done by the daycare board and staff in recent months, knowing the agreement would be changing. It’s a partnership he said needs to continue.

“They need to make it,” he said. “It’s very good for our district, having that there. People come here because we have a nice daycare, and they hopefully go to school here. We’re also going to be saving money on the rent and, within the 28E agreement, we could potentially purchase some time from the administrators that could help subsidize them.”

“We’re both set up really well right now,” Dugger agreed. “I’m really optimistic this will work for all of us.”

Also at last week’s meeting, the board approved several staffing updates. This included the hiring of Daniel Rinehart as a custodian, Brandon Burke as seventh grade basketball coach, Mya Vaske as a fifth grade teacher, Alexa Swingle as a middle school paraprofessional, Stephanie Michel as eighth grade volleyball coach, Karter Decker and Trey Burnikel as assistant football coaches and Chelsie White as a middle school special education teacher. A new hire earlier this summer, Ryan Hannah is transferring from fifth grade to the middle school science teacher position. Resignations were accepted for Cayden Pester as seventh grade boys basketball coach and Madyson Larson as a middle school science teacher.

Additionally, the board approved terminating the school district’s agreement with Crossroads Behavior School in Decorah, then approved entering into a 28E agreement with Bridge Behavior School Consortium in Elkader. This program, which replaces Crossroads, will be administered by Keystone AEA.