Facilities task force urges continued maintenance, new security upgrades; district staff to cost options ahead of potential fall referenda

A volunteer facilities task force that met five times this winter recommended that New Prague Area Schools focus its next capital priorities on continued long‑term maintenance and upgrades to safety and building access, a task force presentation to the school board said March 24.

The group — which included parents, business leaders and district staff — flagged mechanical systems, roofs, paving and ADA upgrades as the district’s most pressing maintenance items and recommended a phased approach to safety and security improvements that could include secure vestibules, zoning of interior access and upgraded classroom locks.

"The two most critical items to take a look at for the long term are continued maintenance on the buildings as well as upgrading the safety and security," said Mr. Boothie, the facilities task force facilitator, summarizing the group’s findings. "Depending on available funding, some of that could be phased in over time, could be summer projects as far as maintenance goes in the district."

Why it matters: the district’s presentation and the group’s discussion make clear there is a gap between the district’s state long‑term facilities maintenance (LTFM) funding and the level of deferred maintenance identified. A district representative briefed the board that the district receives roughly $1.5 million a year for long‑term facilities…