Board hears multi-site facilities updates; buildings-and-grounds chair highlights $230,000 project this year

The Mount Horeb Area School District’s buildings-and-grounds presenter told the board the committee reviewed several completed projects and the district is preparing additional work for the coming year. The presenter said the district’s work included playground repairs, parking-lot and exterior LED upgrades, stairwell lighting, gym ceiling fans, acoustical improvements in lunchrooms, and access-control upgrades to better manage building security.

“Again, the first year we had $230,000 of a project right before that. It was a $130,000,” the presenter said, describing the stepped increase in project scale and saying the larger budget allowed work to be done across buildings. The presenter added: “We painted the gym… we put in controls. We can unlock the doors on a schedule in those areas.” (Buildings & Grounds presenter)

Superintendent Dr. Sarno and board members discussed priorities and next steps. The presenter told the board the district upgraded an antiquated HVAC control system to a common automated logic platform, which centralizes heating and cooling scheduling and troubleshooting. The presenter also said the district had added AEDs in two exterior locations and upgraded athletic infrastructure — new divider curtains, modernized backboards and LED lighting — with help from athletic groups.

Board members pressed for clarity on acoustical work and playground surfacing; the presenter said the next step for a lunchroom is installing a suspended ceiling or other absorptive material and that some playground and walkway repairs will follow. The presenter noted interior LED installs are focused first on high-use spaces while remaining rooms are scheduled later.

The update was presented for the board’s information; no formal capital appropriation was voted on during the meeting. The board thanked staff for the work and asked for continued reporting to the Buildings & Grounds Committee as specific projects move toward procurement and construction.