Jasper School Board: Expanding Ireland and artificial turf gets a big donation

Not one but two large construction projects are staring at the board members with the Greater Jasper School board of trustees.

The nearly two-hour meeting Tuesday night was dominated by discussions surrounding both the Ireland Elementary School expansion and the artificial turf project at Alumni Stadium.

For 2016, the school corporation is looking at an addition to Ireland Elementary School to alleviate overcrowding as well as adding an artificial turf surface at Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium.

Jim Thompson and Dale Wagner from Gibraltar Design of Indianapolis explained that the 6,000 square foot addition to Ireland will add four new classrooms and a restroom.

Current capacity at the school — which currently has 551 students — is 500, and the new classrooms will bring that number up to 550. Because of overcrowding, some classes have been moved into non-classroom spaces but the additional classrooms from this project will allow those students to move into classrooms.

The cost estimate for the four classrooms is in the neighborhood of $1.9 million. Board member Bernie Vogler noted that the cost is about $300.00 per square foot, which he thought was very high.

According to Gibraltar, the cost on the addition was high due to its size. A larger addition would drop the per square foot cost down closer to $200.00.

The board passed a request from Lorey to pursue a project hearing in October so that designs can be procured and financing put into place. The construction is planned to begin in the spring of 2016.

The need for additional space at the school comes amid a growing population in the Ireland area. Superintendent Dr. Tracy Lorey says that the leading indicator is found in the number of housing additions that are expanding to the west of Jasper.

Gibraltar also unveiled plans for a 45,000 square foot addition to the elementary school to assist the board in future planning for the school.

Next, Jasper Athletic Director Andy Noblitt announced that through the generosity of Tom and Cindy Seger, a majority of the money to install a new artificial field surface at Alumni Stadium in Jasper in now in hand.

According to Noblitt, the new field would be around $800,000.00. He pointed out that Gibson Southern just installed one for around $750,000.00.

Noblitt and a committee of several citizens including Phil Seger, Dr. Dean Beckman, coach Tony Ahrens and a few others presented their ideas and suggestions for getting the project going — which they would like to see completed before football season begins in August of 2016.

Dr. Lorey suggested $100,000 could be moved from the school’s rainy day fund to cover some of the expenses.

But, with only sketchy guesses on costs and options, the board passed a motion to explore the project more thoroughly to address concerns of build costs, maintenance costs, safety and water run-off mitigation before they would commit to the project.

The committee will bring more information with them to the October meeting.

The board felt it was time to seriously consider the project because it has been discussed for several years now and also because of the large donation to the project.

Board President Nancy Habig voiced her concerns that the savings on maintenance wouldn’t be as great as claimed and that she still has questions about health issues — both on the impact of the knees of athletes and with the crumb rubber material used under the field.

But, in the end the board voted to move ahead with the project. Without declaring she was abstaining, Habig remained silent during the vote.

Here are stories on the artificial turf discussions in chronological order.

Jerry Brewer Alumni Stadium face-lift considered

School board supports turf traction

New turf depends on community’s help, no funding offered by school

Habig not convinced on artificial turf

Artificial turf won’t grow this year

Also in the meeting Tuesday night, the board voted to adopt their budget for next fiscal year. The budget was presented to the board in July, the public hearing was held in the August meeting. The motion to approve was made by Ken Schnaus and was seconded by Greg Eckerle to accept all budgets and resolutions. It passed unanimously.