Ask the Superintendent: The second in a three part series to outline specifics for each campus - Middle School

by Chris Neale, Superintendent

"What improvements will be made to the middle school campus with bond proceeds?"

Hermann Middle School was opened about 1970, predating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. As with the plans for Hermann Elementary, we intend to bring this building into greater compliance with ADA accessibility standards. We also intend to solve a number of space/program issues.

Our staff has indicated that a major need in this building is an additional set of restrooms. We can provide this by renovating some
interior space. In the area of ADA accessibility, the Hermann Middle School entrance will receive an ADA entrance ramp. We will also provide a private and dignified restroom space for students with severe physical disabilities.

One of the Middle School campus programs that has generated some questions is the construction of a new central office facility. Two issues have pointed toward this solution. First, the current office location was built for two people but is occupied by four. Physical space is a significant issue for three of those people, especially the need for records storage. The second issue is the need to relocate the at-risk program inside the building. It is currently in one of the metal buildings in the maintenance complex. Since office space is much less expensive to build than instructional space, it makes sense to build a modest but respectable office space and renovate the current office space to accommodate at-risk students.

The last two projects for the Middle School campus are to upgrade or replace the 25+ year old metal maintenance buildings and to complete the stabilization of the stream bank. It is important to remember that much of this work will need to be done as a part of government mandates, student accommodations, and a normal maintenance cycle. By using a bond issue approach, we can preserve operating revenue to fund direct instruction to students.

I encourage our patrons to submit questions for future columns! Simply email me with your questions at cneale@hermann.k12.mo.us. Submitters must sign their full name to be considered.