School likely to prioritize urgent repairs over construction

The Nodaway Valley School Board signaled at last Wednesday’s meeting in the high school media center that it is not ready to pursue a major facilities project after reviewing a recent assessment of district buildings, instead leaning toward addressing critical infrastructure needs while gathering more information about long-term space solutions.

Board members discussed the findings during a debriefing session following a recent facilities presentation from the firm SitelogIQ.

During its February meeting, the board heard a nearly 90-minute presentation about the current state of the district’s facilities. Various projects at the three buildings were graded on the level of urgency architects believed they required, and the board listened carefully to their suggestions.

Superintendent Dr. Pam Stangeland said SitelogIQ did exactly what Nodaway Valley asked it to do — conduct a detailed assessment of the district’s facilities — but the information fell short of expectations because it did not go as far as officials hoped in identifying solutions to existing space issues, particularly at the elementary and middle schools.

“There’s a lot of infrastructure — we’re doing this with the HVAC, this with the ventilation, some things with replacing ceilings or flooring,” Stangeland said. “When you think of building projects and hiring an architect, there were no additions presented [outside of the ‘hopes and dreams’ section]. I will be honest that our administrative team was a little underwhelmed because it was just about fixing what needed to be fixed.”

That “hopes and dreams” section did offer nearly $11 million in additional options for the high school, $4.4 million for the middle school and $1.8 million for the elementary school. Examples included an early childhood addition to the elementary school and a new competition gymnasium at the high school.

SitelogIQ gave two primary scenarios totaling nearly $30 million designed to address the district’s most immediate facilities needs. Funding would need to come from a combination of SAVE and PPEL funds — from which the district could use $12.5 million — as well as the district’s bonding capacity of $22.8 million.

“We would never want to be $45 million in debt,” Stangeland said. “If I’m approved for a $700,000 loan for a house, I’m not going to buy a $700,000 house. You have to take a look and see where your limits are.”

Stangeland noted Nodaway Valley’s financial outlook, which is already strong, will receive an additional boost when Orient-Macksburg dissolves June 30 and its territory joins the district.

She said the options, in her mind, are to spend money now, wait a few years until the “nice-to-haves” are more within reach or pursue those projects now and take on the accompanying debt.

School Business Official Amanda Cox said the elementary school is expected to be paid off in 2030.

Board member Susan Stevens said it might be wise to wait until closer to that date before committing to additional large expenditures.

Board member Daniel Shilling added he would be interested in addressing individual critical infrastructure issues now, such as boilers, which would not require hiring an architect.

Stangeland said she believes more research into the most critical areas of need is still required before a decision is made.

Board President Kristen Jensen said it seems best to hold off on any major decisions while gathering additional information.

Stangeland agreed.

“We need to address those major red areas that we can pay for from our current SAVE or PPEL funds while we pay down the bond that we currently have on the elementary,” Stangeland said. “I feel very comfortable about that and think it will give us more time to think about priorities so we can say we have these [critical] things taken care of and now we need, for instance, more room at the elementary.”

Other action

The board approved a consent agenda that included the resignations of Tammie Cass as a middle school teacher and Amy Wheeldon as night custodian. It also approved the hiring of several individuals — mostly coaches — including:

• Caylor Clark, assistant high school track

• Vera Marckmann, elementary cook

• Carol Baudler, head middle school softball coach

• Brian Eisbach and Ryan Zenor, co-head high school softball coaches

• Dan Jameson, head high school baseball coach

• Allen Marnin, head middle school baseball coach

• Corinne Bond, middle school assistant softball coach

• James Winstead, night custodian

The board also approved the 2026-27 school calendar, new director districts that maintain two districts but add Orient-Macksburg territory to both, payment of a Peak Performance invoice, the start of a Hope Squad as presented at the February meeting and a series of board policies.