Sourcewell commits $5.2 million to BHS south campus project

Thanks to a $5.2 million commitment from Sourcewell, Brainerd High School’s south campus will receive a more extensive remodel than was originally planned when the time comes.

Brainerd Public Schools Superintendent Laine Larson told board members during their meeting Monday, Jan. 27, of the funding commitment Sourcewell made for the BHS south campus remodel, which is scheduled to take place in 2021.

Plans in the 2018 bonding referendum included remodeling south campus to house transitional programs and all programs now housed at the Lincoln Education Center, which is planned to be torn down. The current high school classes housed in south campus will be moved to north campus with the current construction project taking place at BHS.

“When we originally designed south campus, we did it with a moderate remodel, and this is going to provide that opportunity where we can really do some extensive changes and make sure that the facility accommodates the needs of our learners,” Larson said. “What a generous, generous commitment to our school district, and we are so touched.”

This is the fourth commitment of more than $5 million Sourcewell has made to area schools, Larson said.

The past two years, Little Falls and Wadena-Deer Creek received funding, while Walker is on tap this year and Brainerd will receive its $5.2 million next year.

All the pledges Sourcewell made are for Level IV buildings, which are facilities designed for students who receive special education services at separate school facilities for more than 50% of the school day.

“We are deeply touched by the kindness of Sourcewell,” Larson said.

In other business Monday, the school board:

Approved new hires to the district: Michelle Anderson, long-term substitute teacher at Harrison Elementary; Robert Anderson, long-term special education paraprofessional at Brainerd High School; Jacob Donnay, long-term substitute math teacher at BHS; Alex Erickson, assistant speech coach at BHS; Cheryl Karlgaard, long-term substitute music teacher at Forestview Middle School; Karla Kunde, long-term substitute special education paraprofessional at Riverside Elementary; Cheryl Miller, long-term substitute developmental and cognitive disabilities teacher at FMS; Jeff Nelson, assistant wrestling coach at FMS; Brianna Rademacher, assistant boys tennis coach at BHS; Susan Rioux, long-term substitute special education teacher at Riverside Elementary; Jessica Skoglund, day engineer at Garfield Elementary.

Approved staff retirements and resignations: Jan Carlson, social studies teacher at BHS, retirement; Rebecca Iverson, special education paraprofessional at Lowell Elementary, resignation; Sara Knoepke, special education paraprofessional at Early Childhood Center, resignation; Kathryn Lundmark, early childhood special education teacher at Early Childhood Center, retirement; Elizabeth Santi, family and consumer sciences teacher at FMS, retirement; Clare Sinner, special education teacher at Garfield Elementary, retirement; Sam Sjogren, assistant wrestling coach at FMS, resignation; Marguerite Tadych, math teacher at Brainerd High School, retirement; Marie Walker, CNA teacher at BHS, resignation.

Accepted two donations to the district: $5,000 from Twin City Honda Dealers for the community education drivers education program, and $100 from HyTec Construction for the Brainerd High School Super Mileage Club.

Approved a Baxter Early Childhood Center renovation stormwater easement and maintenance agreement, which has also been approved by the city of Baxter. The school district will construct new stormwater retention ponds on the property and will maintain them according to city standards. Maintenance costs will be shared between the city and school district.

Approved limited use agreements for signage on Jasperwood and Knollwood drives. The agreements grant the school district permission to place wayfinding signs (signs directing traffic where to enter the school, park, etc.) for Forestview Middle School and the new Baxter Elementary School in city of Baxter rights of way. Under the agreement, the district is responsible for sign maintenance and upkeep.

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .