NM to implement $180k in school-wide classroom locks
Feb. 23—NEW SHARON — The North Mahaska Community School District is planning more than $280,000 in building updates, including new furniture and higher security for classroom doors.
The updates were topics at the North Mahaska School Board's regular meeting on Monday. The biggest school-wide project is the implementation of an electronic keyless fob security feature to every classroom door, as well as doors to teacher lounges and similar areas. District Superintendent Tim Veiseth says the additional security feature is to help ensure staff and student safety.
The school board approved a quote from Van Maanen Electric Inc. for a total of $185,110 for work on 66 doors. Work on the project will take place during normal school hours.
In an elementary-specific item, Elementary Principal Amber Goemaat spoke to the board about the elementary school's upcoming purchase of new desks, tables and chairs for all grades except kindergarten and first grade, saying the school's current furniture is approximately 25 years old.
"The chairs are starting to fall apart and the desks...a lot of teachers do not like the desks. They're large and kind of clunky," Goemaat told the board.
The elementary school's purchase follows a survey of North Mahaska teachers to analyze their preferences on classroom furniture. Veiseth says the cost of the investment will be $107,790.83.
In an additional item of note, the board voted to move its March meeting from from the 18th to the 25th to coincide with a property tax hearing. The hearing will take place at 5:45 p.m., with the board's meeting to follow at 6 in the junior and senior high school library.
Channing Rucks can be reached at crucks@oskyherald.com.
