High School Gymnasium Storming Back

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski    

It is with a great deal of anticipation, that the District announces that the high school gymnasium's floor replacement is complete. The final finish is curing, as per manufacturer's recommendation, and the gym will be open for use beginning January 22, 2023. All formerly scheduled activities for the high school gymnasium will resume starting the week of January 22, 2023. 

The District would like to thank the community for their patience and understanding as everyone has made sacrifices as we worked through this unforeseen emergency.

FACTS OF THE MATTER

In the early hours of July 5, 2022 a hail storm struck Colstrip causing considerable damage across our community. Some places were worse than others. On the outside, the District buildings seemed to weather the storm without damage; however, the inside of the gymnasium had water. Pools of water were discovered in the gym by both emergency exit doors by the custodial staff as they came back from the holiday break. Once the water entered the building and pooled up, it began to travel back toward the door and run beneath the door jam down to the base of the current floor and down to the sub-floor.  Noticeable cupping could be seen and felt on the surface of the top floor approximately 30 feet in diameter of each of the two north doors.

 The water was the result of the overflow drains (located approximately 20 feet above the doors) spilling excess water out over the doorway with a north wind crushing it into the building. The regular storm drains were overloaded with hail and water. The overflow drains protect the roof from weight overload and allow water to escape in the case of extreme storms. The problem being, that the drains are located above the emergency exits in addition the emergency door sweeps were not water tight.

The standing water was immediately removed. The water that went under the floor was also mitigated as quickly as possible.  Testing for mold would have to be done. It would take two weeks for cultures to develop and be analyzed. Unfortunately, after that time period, the cultures indicated mold growth. Approximately 30 feet of gymnasium floor would have to be removed to get rid of the mold. 

At that time, an emergency board meeting was called. The Colstrip School Board of Trustees declared the damage caused to school facilities by the July 5, 2022 rain, thunder and hail storm as an unforeseen emergency as defined in 20-3-322(5). The school facilities damaged by the storm were scheduled for use at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, beginning on the first day of school on August 24, 2022.

The school insurance carrier agreed that the damage would be covered by insurance and the school should take additional action. As Superintendent, I contacted Tyler Bush, Design Build Engineer from McKinstry. McKinstry was hired by the District to provide Design/Build Contracting Services (project manager). Mold remediation took place immediately and the damaged floor was removed.

Contracts were developed to replace the floor. Due to the cost of replacement the insurance carrier had to gain permissions from their re-insurer before the contracts could be executed.

The re-insurer had to re-examine all details. Time was of the essence; however, total agreement took time. After two weeks, the contract to begin work was approved. Schedules had to be pushed back, but the  floor construction and demolition were underway. The board and public were provided updates from McKinstry and myself at the monthly board meetings.

In addition to the replacement of the floor, Colstrip athletic teams had to deal with a different practice and game facility. New schedules were developed. Our entire community made sacrifices to do the very best to make good out of a difficult situation. It was remarkable seeing everyone pull together to make things work. Signage was established at Frank Brattin Middle School. New wall mats were installed and lighting updated. Everything from concessions to entry had to be considered in order to host varsity contests.

Meanwhile, the old floor was removed. Upon removal, the new floor materials came in as scheduled. The new sub-floor was installed, emergency doors were replaced with a water tight solution, bleachers were pulled out and the new floor was put in place.  As contractors worked, it was the goal to get the gymnasium ready for District Basketball Tournaments and possibly senior night for the winter sport teams. 

Special thanks to the Board of Trustees and the Administration at all levels for making needed adjustments and new schedules. Thanks to the Athletic Director and coaches for their support and adjustments to carry out their practices, games and season. Thank you goes out to the students and the industrial arts classes for their help in the removal of the old gymnasium floor as they will be using the maple product to build projects.  The list of thanks goes out to so many that are unmentioned. It is because of your efforts and contributions to make things better that our community will be able to enjoy the High School Gymnasium in time for our winter culminating events. Way to MAKE DUST Colstrip!

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transportation Transparency

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Planning for the future includes updating equipment that has reached its useful life expectancy as well as replacing equipment that no longer functions. The District experienced both of these equipment dilemmas this fall with the replacement of a 28 year old food service van and with a 47 year old coal dump truck.

While the 1990 Ford Food Service Van continued to require increased maintenance and lacked the functionality of space and capacity to compliment newer food service equipment, the 1972 Coal Dump Truck had complete engine failure and no longer worked. Both the van and dump truck needed to be replaced.

The District was able to find viable solutions for both situations: 1) a van that provides ample room and capacity to load and unload meal carts and other equipment utilized in transporting prepared meals from the high school to the elementary and middle school; 2) a running dump truck to haul coal in order to heat the high school with a capacity to haul more coal than the 1972 truck reducing multiple trips from the mine to the upper parking lot of the high school.

A used 2017 Dodge Van was purchased for Food Service. It has 4.5 years and 20,000 miles of drive train warranty and the District installed a 4' Tommy Lift Gate to compliment the newer food service equipment as well as the head room to allow food service personnel to stand while moving serving carts in and out of the vehicle (saving back stress and possible workman's compensation claims, not to mention multiple bumps on the top of heads).

A used 2000 Dump Truck was also purchased to replace the 1972 Chevy Dump Truck that lost it's engine at the end of the 2018 winter.  Until the purchase of the newer truck, the District would have had to hire a third party vendor to haul coal at a premium price. The 2000 Dump Truck provides the District a larger bed and capacity to haul almost twice the amount of coal as the 1972 truck. This saves significant time and money in hauling coal reducing multiple trips. The 2000 Dump truck also provides versatility as it can be used to transport snow build-up out of District parking lots as well as other other landscape needs.

These types of purchases are necessary and made possible through the community's support. As you can see in the photos our hardworking staff are more than appreciative. Thank you Colstrip for your continued support on levys, activities and academics. You make a difference in the education of Colstrip Students.

It's a SIGN of Good Things to Come

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

New high school signage.

It has been said: "It is the little things that often set the tone for bigger things to happen." At Colstrip Public Schools we are "lighting" the way with some noticeable changes. Even though the replacement of the "Colstrip High School" sign, this last Wednesday, may be a subtle change, it replaces a partially lit sign of old. This replacement not only illuminates the entrance of the walk into the high school, but it sets the tone of expectation.

At our high school, students can proudly say we are "Colstrip High School." It is a place of educational and physical stewardship. We take care of those that are here as well as the walls of the institution that we attend. There is an expectation of excellence walking in and out of this school. Having only part of the letters illuminated tells a completely different story.

It may have taken six months, but at Colstrip Public Schools, we are illuminating the future of those that enter our high school and we have a sign to prove it. This is just a sign of the good things to come.

Removal of the old sign on January 27, 216.

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!

"Get out in front and stay there!"

Working Hard To Make Colstrip Proud

by Robert "Bob" Lewandowski

Robert Whitehead has the maintenance crew working hard to execute an already long list of things to be done before school starts. Pictured to the right is the demolition and clean up of the old fenced gardening area by the football practice field. The fenced area was an eye sore and presented a liability.

With a little time and patience I am sure we will start to see a difference. I can't tell you how proud I am of these guys.  

WELL DONE!

Proud to be Colt and Filly! Get out in front and stay there!

GO COLTS! GO FILLIES! 

MAKE DUST OR EAT DUST!