PROJECTS | For A Better Beloit

QUESTION 1

HVAC : $5 MILLION

This includes replacing the outdated boiler system at the Beloit Elementary School in grades PrK-6 classrooms, the multipurpose room, and the office. This also includes replacing rooftop units that are having out-of-life issues at the Beloit Jr/Sr High School.

WHY IS THIS NEEDED?

The proposed improvements to our Elementary and Junior/Senior High Schools, including the installation of new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, are essential. This project not only aims to enhance the comfort of our students and staff but also to improve air quality and learning conditions. Proper temperature regulation and ventilation are vital for optimal learning, and investing in such infrastructure demonstrates our commitment to providing a safe and conducive environment for all students.

The original elementary building and the fourth and fifth-grade classrooms are heated by the current boiler system. The boiler system has been a great way to heat our classrooms for the past seventy years and has served our campus well. The problems exist within the piping to the classrooms. The pipes are original to the building and were run into the cement at the time the building was built. The pipes are now starting to erode in areas throughout the building, causing the rooms to be flooded at times and causing disruption in our student's learning. It also causes the building's heat to be turned off during the time the system is being repaired. This is not a good situation that affects a very large portion of the elementary school. The plan would be to use twenty-nine packaged units and two rooftop units or forced natural gas units to heat the classrooms, at this time the air conditioning would be replaced as well. This will be a complete retrofit of the heating and cooling in these affected elementary classrooms.

The Jr/Sr High School has many rooftops at the end of life. In this plan, the bond would take care of replacing five to six of the rooftops, allowing the district to get on a cycle for replacing future rooftops as needed. This would also allow the district to create a parts closet to keep other units going, as replacement parts are hard to find after the pandemic.

ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT

According to the architectural assessment:

BES - The building has a mix of various types of HVAC systems: unit ventilators, unit heaters, hot water boiler heat, and some window units; some of which are original to the building from 1954. The bond issue will replace units in the original sections from 1954 and new rooftop HVAC units in the Multipurpose room and library.

BJSHS - The central portion of the building has rooftop HVAC units that are nearing the end of their life at approximately 20 years old. There are 11 rooftop units that will need to be replaced in the next five years. The bond issue will start the process and allow units to be replaced over time. A phased replacement is desirable, so you are not replacing all the units at one time (either now or in the future).

All new equipment will utilize current technology, refrigerants, and greater operational efficiencies.

QUESTION 3

TRACK & TENNIS COURT IMPROVEMENTS : $1 MILLION

Project No. 3 seeks to enhance our athletic facilities, specifically updating the track and tennis courts for an estimated cost of $1,000,000. Physical education plays a crucial role in developing teamwork, discipline, and resilience in our children. By improving these facilities, we provide our students with better venues to hone their skills, compete, and foster a sense of community spirit through sports. After all, a well-rounded education integrates both academic and physical growth.

WHY IS THIS NEEDED?

The track had a major overhaul to the surface and partial subsurface in 2008. It has had one top coating put on it and has been relined twice since then. The last topcoat was a ¼ inch in 2019. Unfortunately, the ground has moved in this area over the years and this is causing damage to the track creating cracking on the top surface, but the cracking is coming from the subsurface issues. A simple top coat will not fix the issues with the track, and the correct repair must happen so that the track surface will be safe and usable for the foreseeable future.

The tennis courts were resurfaced with a ¼ inch top coat in 2002, but there has been substantial damage with cracking and movement of the subsurface since then. The east courts were repaired a year and a half ago and are in nice shape, but the west courts need substantial repair to them. The west courts are currently in poor shape and are close to not being usable.

ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT

According to the architectural assessment:

Resurfacing of the track and tennis is necessary to maintain these facilities. Furthermore, correction of any subgrade movement or deterioration is crucial to keep tracks in a good and safe condition to not accelerate further deterioration. If the subgrade is in good condition a topcoat and striping can be done several times before a full replacement is considered. The current track was significantly overhauled in 2008 and was most recently top-coated in 2019. Currently, several areas of subgrade cracking and movement are present. If these areas are not repaired, the track subsurface will continue to deteriorate and full replacement of the track and subsurface may be required at a much higher cost than resurfacing.

The tennis courts have significant cracking and deterioration of the subgrade, predominately on the west courts. The courts were resurfaced in 2002 and the east courts were repaired in 2022. Proper repair of the damaged areas and resurfacing should be performed to keep these courts in good and safe working order and will continue to last for many more years.

Nabholz believes the track and tennis courts could be started in June 2025, following the November 2024 election, and be completed before the 2025 fall sports seasons.

QUESTION 2

AG CENTER : $3.9 MILLION

Project No. 2 proposes the construction of a new Ag Center building for an estimated cost of $3,900,000. This new 11,000-square-foot facility will have two separate Ag classrooms, a modern shop facility, and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) classroom and will open new possibilities for our students by integrating relevant skills and knowledge into their education. In an ever-evolving job market, we must prepare our youth with hands-on experiences in Agriculture and Technology. This project represents not just bricks and mortar, but a firm commitment to fostering innovation and preparing our students for future career opportunities.

WHY IS THIS NEEDED?

The new Ag Center will allow for appropriate capacities in our Ag-related classes. It will also allow newer safety features to be installed in the Ag Shop area. These features include a crane, a new filtration system, and appropriate space for projects. A STEM room would also go into this building addition to allow for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math opportunities. This room would allow students to be engaged in STEM learning, have small competitions within the STEM curriculum, and allow our FFA students to be engaged in different local Ag opportunities.

ARCHITECTURAL ASSESSMENT

According to the architectural assessment, 25 different classes are taught in the Ag, STEM, and Construction & Design programs. The demand for Ag-related classroom and shop space has outgrown its current space due to increased program offerings, high enrollment, and student projects that continue to grow in size. In addition to being undersized, the current ag shop does not have any ventilation for welding work, no hoists or cranes to lift heavy items, and lacks modern safety measures for a teaching environment throughout the space.

Constructing a new Ag Center will provide dedicated space for Vo-Ag classes and training as well as space for FFA and other related activities. The shop would contain modern welding stations for teaching with appropriate ventilation and other safety components. Large projects could be accommodated with pull-through work bays and overhead hoists for moving large materials and projects around. Additional classroom space would be flexible for current needs and adaptable for future teaching needs.

CLASSES IT WILL SERVE

With the additional space in the new Ag Center, we will be able to host the following classes:

Ag Classes

*Intro to Ag (eighth grade)
Agriscience
Agribusiness
Ag Welding I
Ag Welding II
Ag Fabrication
Plant & Soil Science
Floriculture & Greenhouse Management
Animal Science
Veterinary Science
Ag Mechanics
Advanced Ag Mechanics
Ag Internship

STEM Classes

*JH Technology: Robotics
STEM I
STEM II
STEM Job Opportunities

The new Ag Center will then allow the Construction and Design classrooms more teaching area, using the space where the current Ag classes are taught now. This is a list of those classes.

Construction & Design Classes

*Intro to Woods (eighth grade)
Woodworking Principles
Furniture & Cabinetry Fabrication
Advanced Material Technology
Carpentry I
Carpentry II
Advanced Carpentry
CNC Design & Fabrication