Facility committee approves spring 2025 priority capital projects including clock/bell system and cafeteria pocket tables

The Waunakee Community School District Facility Committee voted on March 6 to approve a set of priority-1 spring 2025 capital projects, including replacement of the building clock, bell and public-address system at one elementary building that lacks the modern system, purchase of pocket (foldaway) lunch tables for Prairie, and finishing work at the varsity softball field.

The vote came after staff said the three projects face long lead times or require preparatory work that makes completion by the start of the next school year challenging if purchase orders are delayed. Jack made the motion to approve the projects "as presented," a board member seconded and the committee approved the package by voice vote.

IT director Rick Franz described the clock, bell and PA replacement as a full-system replacement that would include roughly 65 clock speakers, hallway ceiling speakers, digital displays and new cabling. "They have the digital display...they are an integral part of our safety process as well in our work," Franz said. Franz told the committee the existing hardware is antiquated and that the district likely could not reuse the old equipment with the new system; the work includes cabling and would require early scheduling so installers can limit disruption to classes. "We really only have about 2 weeks once school ends before summer school starts," Franz said, noting that the vendor can do some second-shift work to avoid class disruption.

Staff also said the lunchroom "pocket" tables at Prairie have long lead times and the existing units are in poor condition; the replacements will not match current widths exactly and will require some modification. The varsity softball items approved are finishing elements tied to previously approved scope, including a flagpole and concrete work for batting-cage foundations.

Administrators said they have preliminarily established a goal of not exceeding $2,000,000 for summer 2025 work and that this package focuses on priority-1 items only; priority-2 and -3 items will be discussed later and are not under consideration at this time. Staff emphasized that projects placed in priority-2 or -3 are part of longer-term conversations and that the boardwill see a full financial picture in April before additional approvals.

Motion: approve priority-1 capital purchases for spring 2025, including the clock/bell/PA replacement, Prairie pocket tables, and varsity softball finishing items. Mover: Jack. Second: unnamed. Outcome: approved by voice vote.

Staff will proceed with vendor engagement and purchase orders as authorized and will return to the board in April with the broader financial summary for summer 2025 projects.