What If?

The concept of school safety has changed quite a bit over the last five to six years, not only around the country but around the state. I can remember early in my tenure when the doors to the facilities were left unlocked, and in the warm autumn months at the start of the school year it was standard practice to prop doors open so we could take advantage of a nice cross breeze. Times have certainly changed! From a physical standpoint, during normal business hours our facilities are completely locked down. Main entrances are locked and visitors have to be buzzed in to get into the school. Security cameras adorn our hallways, both seen and unseen; monitoring the activity of our school buildings 24/7.

But that is not all! Much of the work that is being completed with Phase III of our renovation project has been conceptualized with a goal of improved student safety! In fact the new elementary entrance and commons expansion, (the centerpiece of the project) was borne from a vision where we wanted to eliminate the blind entrance into the facility. We wanted to create an environment where patrons not only have to be buzzed into the facility, but are required to pass through the office to gain admittance to the instructional space. Further, all the exterior doors at both attendance centers are being replaced and will be embedded with electronic key fob access. 

It is my hope these physical and visible safety features will help all our constituents rest easy in knowing that we are doing all we can to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for all our young people. Yet at the same time we are doing much more. 

At the end of the school year, all of our faculty participated in a day long professional development opportunity in collaboration with Central Rivers AEA on mental health first aid. This training was designed to help our faculty understand and recognize when students may need help, and to properly position ourselves in a manner that enables us to connect families with appropriate services. In addition, at our school board meeting on Monday evening, the Board of Directors met in closed session to review and discuss our Emergency Operations Plan, which outlines management's response if an event were ever to occur in the school district. 

It is our sincere hope none of these safety features or plans every have to be implemented. Nevertheless, we remain vigilant in our efforts to enhance our facilities, refine our plans, and be prepared for that 'What If' moment.

Operation Blue Track is a Go!

Each spring over the course of the last several years, Mr. Wurzer and I would walk the track with one of the track surface vendors to determine if it was time for resurfacing. And, after each inspection they would recommend we wait just 'one more year'. That, in spite of the fact the striping was starting to fade. We had considered simply repainting, but to do that didn't seem financially wise. After all, we knew we were probably only a few short years from resurfacing the track anyway. At the same time we mused how neat it would be, if when we did decide to go forward with the project to make it a blue track. Call it daydreaming I suppose because frankly it wasn't something that I considered all that seriously. I knew it would cost more and wasn't convinced it would be a good use of taxpayer money. See, schools in Iowa had been trying to get the SAVE fund extended for the last several years and legislators weren't in favor of using this money for projects that weren't necessary. They pointed to several athletic facilities around the state that were extravagantly over the top as a reason to not extend SAVE. I have been very sensitive to this argument and for certain did not want to be the next example.

This spring when Mr. Wurzer and I walked the track, we had already determined this was going to be the year to do the project. We had the budget set and the money had been earmarked for the last several years: $60,000. Knowing that was the case, my administrative cabinet lobbied me to get an alternate bid for blue. After all they argued, what could it hurt at least knowing the number? I agreed to at find out while at the same time thinking 'ask or not', I had no intention of putting in a blue track. 

So I asked the bidders to give me an alternate for a blue track and to provide a sample. The thing is, the only blue track I know of in the state is pretty cool and all--but the wrong color blue. Although I was pretty much against the blue track, I at least wanted to see if they could deliver on 'Navy'. The bid letting was scheduled for May 1st since it was our intention to do the project over the summer. When we opened up the envelope and the sample fell out everyone was excited because it was in fact the right color blue. Then when we looked at the bid number for the alternate: $12,500. I was very surprised and my mind began to change. 

Nevertheless, I was still firm in my resolve to make good use of our taxpayer resources. I would not commit taxpayer money to a blue track. Our kids would run just as fast on a traditional black track as they would a blue track. But at the same time, I thought, "What a statement it would be to drive by on highway 63 and see a blue track"! I shared with Mr. Wurzer and the rest of the crew here in the district that if we wanted to do a blue track, we could on one condition: we had to raise the money independently. There was an additional caveat. They had to do it by the end of May. See, if it was my intention to have the project completed over the summer I had to get it approved by the board and scheduled with the contractor. Remember, we had just received the bids on May 1st! 

With such an aggressive goal there was really only one person we could turn to for help. So we called Joanne Hawkins. Joanne listened to our pitch, asked a few clarifying questions and agreed to accept our challenge. Folks, the rest is history. We absolutely crushed our goal and then some. 

I learned something new through this process. First, never underestimate the support this community has for their school district. Sure, I always knew we were very blessed here in Hudson, but I don't think I realized how blessed we truly were. Second, we have awesome volunteers. Joanne didn't have to take this on. Her children have graduated and are no longer living in Hudson. Yet she continues to contribute to her school in a multitude of ways. 

So thank you. Thank you to Joanne for leading this effort, and thanks to everyone for your contributions to this project. On second thought, I think our kids may run just a bit faster on a blue track!