Big-ticket projects at Brookside and Southwest top the Albert Lea School district’s capital budget for the coming school year.

Tuesday, March 20, 2001

Big-ticket projects at Brookside and Southwest top the Albert Lea School district’s capital budget for the coming school year.

Brookside Education Center will house the Headstart program after an extensive remodel of two music rooms at a cost of about $54,000. Construction includes raising the floors, installation of new bathrooms, classroom and office space, said Bruce Olson, facilities and transportation director for the district.

RCR Construction of Albert Lea will begin the renovations in the summer. Headstart staff will vacate their Bridge Avenue location to occupy the Brookside space in August.

The largest project of the year is the construction of a $95,000 roof on part of Southwest Middle School. Also slated for the summer, the project has not yet been bid.

The school board approved the $450,000 in capital building projects at its meeting Monday.

Other notable projects in the capital budget include track repairs, light pole painting and a field house remodeling project totaling $25,000. The Hammer Lot, a secondary parking area for high school students, will also receive $10,000 in resurfacing. Soundproofing materials will be installed in the Halverson Elementary lunchroom, while Hawthorne, Lakeview and Sibley will receive new carpet in several classrooms.

In other school news:

– The board approved a January field trip to Long Beach, Calif., for high school jazz band students. The trip, scheduled for Jan. 9-13, includes a jazz workshop featuring several of the top jazz performers in the world. The students will also have the chance to spend a day at Disneyland.

The trip will cost between $750 and $800 per student. Trip organizer Scott Fitzsimonds has planned several fundraisers for the summer and fall leading up to the trip.

– Superintendent Dr. David Prescott presented a plaque to teacher Paul Goodnature for 25 years of service to the district. Prescott also recognized volunteers who helped in the district spelling bee and the six Teacher of the Year candidates.

– Officer Bill Villarreal told the board he was planning a pre-prom and graduation program for the spring. He said this year’s student awareness program will focus on empowerment.