April 18, 2024

McDermott updates board on major projects, health

By SCOTT VICKER

Pictured is Panther Field at Creston Community High School. Panther Field is the site of one of several potential major construction upgrades within the Creston Community School District. Superintendent Steve McDermott is in the process of compiling a public survey so CCSD Board of Directors members can get feedback on how the public prioritizes potential major construction projects. (CNA photo)

Creston Community School District Superintendent Steve McDermott continues to work on a survey that will be sent out to the public regarding a list of potential major construction projects within the school district.

McDermott updated the CCSD Board of Directors on the progress of that survey during Monday’s regular meeting.

“There are some very, very preliminary estimates associated with those (projects),” McDermott said via video conference. “What I’m attempting to do is get a little tighter information, a little closer estimates for those projects before we ask the public what their opinions are.”

One hangup in the process is that, in some cases, to get more accurate price estimates, the school district would need to commit money toward architect fees or engineering fees.

McDermott is attempting to gather more accurate information without spending money on those fees.

“You can get $10,000 wrapped up in projections in a hurry in a project,” McDermott said. “And, until I know we’re going to go ahead and do that project, I kind of hate to spend that money. We may have to in a couple of spots. I’ve been trying to be thrifty so far.”

Projects

The potential major projects were broken down into four categories – Early Childhood Center; stadium, fields and courts; Elementary/Middle School and other projects.

At the Early Childhood Center, potential projects include repairing the storm sewer under the large gym, creating a new bus pick-up and drop-off area away from North Elm Street, reconstructing the concrete, curb and fencing along North Elm Street and an upgrade to the playground.

Additional parking has been discussed at the Elementary/Middle School.

Under stadium, fields and courts, potential projects discussed were upgrading bleachers and concession areas at the football stadium, along with installing field turf on the football field and improving fencing around the entire area. Other projects include re-sodding the baseball field, constructing new tennis courts and track and field upgrades, including safer throwing areas and making the track able to host collegiate meets.

Other projects are constructing an adaptive playground accessible to students of all abilities, constructing an adaptive ball field with a surface conducive to wheelchairs and building a new, larger competition gym.

“We feel like, long term, we have the funding that can cover a considerable amount of those projects, if not all,” McDermott said. “However, we can’t do all of those projects at the same time. So, we need to do a little prioritizing.”

McDermott hopes to have the public survey ready and sent out by Christmas, so the board can begin getting feedback from the public on what projects should be prioritized.

Board Member Sharon Snodgrass said she would like to have some more accurate cost estimates available to give the public.

“If you’re going to present this to folks, a first question on many folks’ minds is going to be, ‘Well, how much is that going to cost?’” Snodgrass said. “I think that if someone asks me how much is that going to cost, I’m going to have to say I have no idea.”

“If we can get some ballpark, rough estimates on these, that’s probably going to be OK for now,” McDermott said. “Once a larger project, especially, before it’s approved, we’ll have to have a lot tighter numbers and we’ll have to go back to the public to let them know what that expense will be before the board can go ahead and approve that.”

Health update

McDermott also updated the board on the status of his health.

McDermott was recently diagnosed and treated for renal cancer, having undergone multiple surgeries.

“I’m doing OK. I’m going to be all right,” McDermott said via video conference. “I was feeling better working some partial days and then they decided it was time for me to start taking my chemo pills. My battery doesn’t run quite as long, my personal battery, as it did even a couple of days ago. I’m doing OK.”

McDermott said doctors and nurses have encouraged him to stay home for the next several weeks and to avoid the school, grocery store and church to lessen the chances of him getting sick while taking the chemotherapy pills.

McDermott had attended the September board meeting in person after calling in via video conference to the August board meeting.