Performing Arts Center

Janelle Simmonds — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:42:00 GMT

Crews are finishing installing the final seats. Just a reminder that there are 21”, 22”, and 23” seats organized throughout the PAC so that no one sits directly behind the person in front of them. Contractors will be installing the pit filler next week. Inspectors will be on-site to inspect the two PAC lifts (elevators) this week. The required phone line to each lift has been installed. Stage lighting installation has started this week and will take 2-3 weeks to complete. Crews are busy doing audio/visual work. Speakers have been installed and there is a lot of other sound and light control equipment to install on stage and in the control room. As shown in the attached picture, the stage floor has been installed. The floor will be painted the week of December 22nd (after the pit filler is installed). Electricians are working on electrical work, part of which is installing the isle lights on the seats. Painters are working on spaces in and around the PAC. Much of the flooring has been installed inside the PAC, including isles and pit. Carpet on the west hallway is being installed today and walk-off carpet will be installed in and around the activity entrances/exits. Expected completion – End of January 2021

Benson Activity Center

Janelle Simmonds — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:25:00 GMT

BAC (Benson Activity Center): Electricians are completing rough ins. Plumbers have completed rough-ins for bathrooms. Ventilation crews have installed ducts and rough-ins. Insolation is being installed on ductwork. Sheeting will be installed on the dividing wall, with mudding and taping to follow. On ground RTU is scheduled to be installed toward the end of December. Exterior doors are expected to be installed the week of December 14th. Epoxy floor is scheduled to be poured the first week in January. Steel contractor will be installing an 8’ high steel liner around the interior of the facility to protect the insulation. Expected completion – Mid-End of January 2021

Windows at the Senior High

Janelle Simmonds — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 16:19:00 GMT

The window replacement project at BHS is underway. Photo of the new compared to old windows. Lighting for the parking lot has been installed along with surveillance cameras for the parking lots.

Construction Updates April 2020

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 20:19:00 GMT

Northside: Crews have removed the ceilings in the main hallways are wrapping up abating the “pucks” in the ceiling. Work will begin shortly on the fire suppression system. West Addition: Sheet rocking is 90% completed and 75% taped. Paint crews have started priming walls. Next week crews are scheduled to begin work installing ceilings. Bathroom tile is also scheduled next Wednesday. Classroom flooring is scheduled to begin to be installed the week of April 27th. Additional windows will be installed on the north side of the buildings as brick work get finished. Casework is scheduled to arrive around May 18th. East Addition: New and existing room work has been completed. Underground utility and plumbing work has been completed. Masonry walls inside should be installed the week of April 27th. Plumbing work, duct work, and framing is progressing. Benson High School: As can be seen on the pictures, demolition crews have done a lot of work in ceilings and classrooms over the past few weeks. Ductwork is being installed right behind the demo crews. The new ventilation unit above the bathrooms across from the gym has been installed, the old removed. Business office framing, electrical rough in and ductwork has been installed. The new secure entryway is taking shape as masonry walls, door frames, and windows have been installed. The new classrooms and collaborative space is taking shape as framing has been completed, hvac, fire suppression, and electrical work is in progress. Windows have been installed and crews are hanging sheetrock. Existing classroom walls are being removed to make room for ductwork and doorways. Progress is being made on the PAC. Spiral staircases have been hung, roof drain plumbing has been completed, final precast walls were installed. The west hallway masonry wall has been completed. The stone work from the old auditorium looks nice in the wall and is a nice addition and remembrance to our history. Existing south BHS cafeteria wall is being removed to prepare for the connection to the new PAC area. Steel work continues on the hallways and roofs. Progress is being made on the BHS gym floor project. Community Education will be moved A huge thank you goes out to our maintenance and custodial crew for all of their work helping with moving classrooms, demolition and clean up. They have worked very hard to keep ahead of hvac and demo crews. In addition, thank you to teachers for coming in on short notice to pack materials in classrooms. The inside remodel work and hvac work was not scheduled to begin until the end of May, so it is happening earlier than anticipated. However, this is a good opportunity to get a good jump on construction. What happens if students come back to school yet this year? We hope to have closure with students and staff this school year. Lighting, fire suppression, and fire alarm equipment has been maintained throughout the buildings during the demo process. All desks and chairs can be cleaned and moved back into classrooms. While some of the classrooms will look different, they can be ready for students and teachers. The opportunity to get 4 weeks of construction done will take pressure off of “crunch” time in August. The work that is being done at the end of March and April is a significant bonus. Thank you to everyone for their flexibility and understanding during this construction process! Spaces are really taking shape. Let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely Dennis

Construction Updates - January 2020

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 22:05:00 GMT

Northside Elementary Preschool Space- The preschool space has been enclosed. Roofing is scheduled to be completed this week. Once roofing is completed, inside temp heat will be set up. Ground will be leveled and prepared for concrete floor to be poured. Heaters are being used to remove the frost from the ground. After concrete floor is poured, inside construction will begin. The ECFE space has been moved so that connection work can begin to the west end of the existing building. Exterior brick work is scheduled to begin by January 13th. (Windows will not be installed until brick work is completed). Cafeteria/Activity Space- Block work has been completed. Steel has been added and roof deck completed. Roofing will be started as soon as crews are completed at the preschool space. Demolition work is being completed in the entrance and bathroom areas to prepare for connection. NS kitchen will be closed starting March 2nd to enable demolition work in the kitchen space. BHS It is great to see spaces begin to take shape. Abatement work was completed in the library during the holiday break. All footings and footing walls have been poured. Utility lines have been dug and installed, including in the receiving room. Crews have started installing steel in the north classroom addition. A temporary wall has been built in Mr. Knutson’s office and in the ITV room and demolition work has been completed at the secure entrance area, in preparation for the new secure entrance construction. Demo work will continue in the ITV room. Steel will be installed for the secure entrance area in the next 10 days. A temp wall has been installed up the ramp by the band practice rooms. Demolition of the exterior wall will take place next week so a block wall can be constructed. This in preparation to remove the wood ceiling and install required steel for the hallway ceiling this summer. Precast walls for the performing arts center (PAC) are schedule to start getting set on January 23. East Gym- We forget that the East Gym construction was part of the overall bond. The gym conversion was completed in June of 2019. Many compliments about the space have been received. The space has provided a valuable area for PE, Recess, and Discovery Kids activity space. Because of the new gym space, boys and girls do not have to practice late, which provides more time for youth practices and community use in the evenings. In addition, a girl/boy basketball double header was held last week as the space was available. Please contact me with any questions about the construction project. Sincerely, Dennis Laumeyer, Superintendent

Construction Updates - November 2019

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 20:25:00 GMT

Hello, Below is a construction update so everyone is up to date on what is happening. Attached are some pictures of construction progress. · NS o Preschool Space – steel is erected. Crews are putting on roof decking and walls are being built. Steel crew is expected to be completed this week and then move to the cafeteria. Roofing company will be starting to construct curbs and blocking and then get started with roof material. o Cafeteria/Kitchen – Masonry crew is making progress on block walls. Once completed with the block walls they plan to start on brick work. Steel construction for the roof is scheduled to begin next week. o Overall – the plan is to have both the preschool space and cafeteria space enclosed before Christmas. Once enclosed and detail work completed, the floors will be poured. Construction crews plan to set the connecting steel beam between the kitchen and new space over holiday break. Plumbing lines have been run from the boiler room to the new space across the roof. Plumbing work in the boiler room is progressing. Plumbers are working on preparing the system to run both steam and hot water. The NS kitchen is scheduled to be closed beginning March 2nd. Plans are being made to make this a seamless transition. A crew will be doing some abatement work over Thanksgiving. Fortunately most all of the underground utility lines were able to be dug in before frost came so early. Discovery Kids is working on getting things lined up to move playground equipment and fencing to the NS location. · BHS o North classrooms/collab space - All site preparation, utility work has been completed. Footings and foundation walls have been poured and back filled. As shown in the picture with enclosed plastic, masonry walls are being built. Next is getting the steel on site to begin setting steel. o Secure Entrance: Footings and foundation walls have been poured and back filled. The next step is setting steel for the entrance. Construction crews are planning to begin demo work and construction in the ITV room in the next 3-4 weeks. This work needs to be done so hopefully community ed can move into that space over the summer, instead of having to move to a temporary location over the summer and then move again. (The current community education space will be remodeled this summer to be one larger space for a teacher work room). o Performing Arts Center: Crews are working on pouring footings. Next week a sanitary line will be dug in connecting to the receiving room. Once footings are poured, the next step will be setting the pre-cast walls, toward the end of January. There is other detail work that will be completed before pre-cast are set. o Overall: The plan is to have the north area enclosed in January. Work will continue on the secure entrance. The receiving room will be dug up for the sanitary line next week. · It is wonderful to see progress on these projects and to watch the spaces really take shape. The NS entrances should be consistent now for a long time. Thank you to everyone for the patience and understanding as utility work was being completed and entrances were changed! While it is not easy, especially with our younger students, your patience was amazing. The Design Team spent over 13 hours last week going through the different spaces and all of the design details, and hours during other meetings. They are doing a great job pulling the overall project together in terms of design. Also attached are some of the most current renderings of the different spaces. Please contact me with any questions. Sincerely, Dennis

Good Progress Continues at Northside & BHS

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 19:53:00 GMT

Below is a construction update. Despite the unseasonable cold weather, good progress continues on the construction projects at both buildings. · Crews have completed digging utility lines north of BHS. The schools buses will return to loading and unloading north of BHS today (Friday). · The sanitary line running out of the front entrance at BHS has been dug and connected to the city line. The sanitary line from the receiving room is scheduled to be dug in next week. Part of the concrete floor in the receiving room will be removed to make the connection. There is also a collapsed pipe in the receiving room that needs to be replaced at the same time. The good news is that the line can run under the hallway floor. · Footings, footing walls and backfilling has been completed on the north BHS classrooms and collaborative space. Plumbing crews have mostly completed plumbing work for those spaces. · Concrete crews are pouring footings for the performing arts entrance and along the BHS cafeteria today (Friday). Next week they will pour the footing walls for that smaller area. · At some point next week BHS door #1 will be reopened and door #2 will be closed. We are making every effort to minimize the amount of jumping back and forth between entrance doors. · Starting later next week digging will begin at BHS door #2 for the secure entrance and footings will be poured. · Once the secure entrance area is poured, crews will move back to complete the footings for the performing arts center. · Once all of that work is done, the BHS areas will be a little more quiet for about 2-3 weeks until the steel arrives. · The performing art center walls will all be precast and those walls should arrive later in January. · At NS the main utility lines have been dug in. There is some tile to dig in the front of NS as well as some drain work around the preschool playground. The early freezing temperatures are not helping as crews try to dig through frost. That is why there are frost blankets being placed over concrete and dirt piles. · NS preschool space is taking shape. Steel is being constructed. Most of the steel should be up in the next 2 weeks, but crews will be installing roof decking and other details which takes a little longer. · Next week carpenters will be on site to start building walls in the preschool space. · Masonry walls are going up in the cafeteria space at NS. The main wall has been completed and crews have moved to building the west wall. There are many utilities that run through the main wall so that wall took more time to construct. · Steel contractors will be moving to the NS cafeteria in the next 2 weeks to put up the roof structure. · Looking forward: o Both spaces at NS are scheduled to be enclosed by the end of December. o Crews plan to install the required support beam in the NS kitchen wall over the holiday break. The kitchen will still be usable. This way crews can continue to make the connection to the old building. o The kitchen at NS will be closed starting March 2nd. All of the demo work and new construction in the NS kitchen will not get completed in time for the next school year if it is not closed early to allow for more construction time. There have been meetings with Food Service and plans are being made on preparing and serving meals during this transition. · The Design Team has been meeting to pick out colors that are coordinated throughout the District. In addition to wall colors, window tints, window and door frame colors, exterior metal, etc. are being selected. The Design Team traveled to the Wells Concrete plant in Albany to look at precast wall textures and colors for the performing arts center. The Design Team is also reaching out to users to get details for certain areas. Thank you to the Design Team for the many hours they are dedicating to this process · Furniture:

Elizabeth Avenue North of BHS Closed Nov. 4 & 5; NS Nevada Avenue Open

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 13:50:00 GMT

Monday and Tuesday, November 4 and 5, crews will be digging in a utility line on Elizabeth avenue, north of the auxiliary gym. There will not be any parking on Elizabeth Avenue Monday and Tuesday. School buses will be dropping students off before school in front of the Junior High and picking students up on the east side of Benson High School where there Trades House is built. There should be no parking in the area around the storage shed and by the receiving room entrance after school on Monday and Tuesday so the buses can get through that area. · NS o Street utility work is completed so Nevada Avenue in front of NS is back open. One tile line still needs to be dug in along the front of the school. o Masonry crews are laying blocks in the cafeteria area. o Underground lines have been put in for the preschool space and steel is scheduled to start being put up on Monday. o Demo work has been done on the Bathrooms and entrance. o The plan is to close down the NS kitchen starting March 2nd. Plans are being made for this transition. There is much demo work and construction to be done in the kitchen so it is ready for the 20-21 school year. o Hopefully the spaces are enclosed in December · BHS o Footings and footing walls have been poured for the new classrooms and collaborative space. They have completed backfilling the space. Next plumbers will be running pipes in the area. o Next week some time, most likely Thursday, door #2 will be closed as crews dig footings for the new secure entrance. They will then move to the performing arts center to dig footings. o The new sanitary line on the south side of BHS has been completed out to the street. The plumbers will be connecting the line from the school out to the manhole in the front of the school, most likely next week. So there will be a brief time when door #1 is closed off for this work.

Work Continues to Progress at Northside Elementary

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 18:49:00 GMT

BHS New Classrooms, Collaborative & Innovative Spaces

Fri, 25 Oct 2019 15:27:00 GMT

Progress at BHS! Footings and form walls going up for the new classrooms, collaborative and innovative spaces at the high school.

NS Construction in Progress, BHS Expected to Begin in Early October

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 18:39:00 GMT

Northside Construction: · Footings have been poured for the NS cafeteria/activity space and kitchen. Crews plan to pour masonry walls Friday. Once those are poured Kennedy will backfill and put in fill so plumbing can be installed and the floor can get poured. · NS office work will begin next week. Mary’s office has been rearranged to accommodate the temp wall that will be installed for construction. Demolition work of the NS men’s and women’s bathrooms is scheduled to begin as soon as the cafeteria floor is poured. Crews will access the bathrooms from the outside. · The rain has slowed the soil correction on the west end addition, in fact seven days of digging have been lost so far. However, the plan is to resume digging on Friday and get back on schedule. · October 16-18 Kennedy and the city plan to dig in the new wastewater and storm water lines in the front of NS. The two small trees will be relocated to the back of NS, unfortunately the larger trees are too big to move. This will involve digging up part of the SW entrance sidewalk and out onto the street. · Temporary power has been installed at both construction sites at NS. BHS · Bids have been awarded for the BHS construction project. Contracts have been sent out. Contractors are working on shop drawings and ordering materials. · Construction at BHS is expected to begin in early October.

Groundbreaking Northside Elementary Project

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 13:11:00 GMT

Groundbreaking for the Northside Elementary project was held Tuesday afternoon. Thank you to our youngest learners, construction team, teachers, and school board members for taking part in the ground breaking ceremony as we prepare for construction to begin at Northside. We are so excited to have dedicated space for the wonderful preschool programs, including the Discovery Kids Childcare Center, all located at Northside. These are going to be amazing spaces for student learning and development!

Back to School 2019-2020 Construction Update

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 18:20:00 GMT

Below is a construction update as we prepare for back to school. I want to make sure everyone is informed of what is happening and what everyone can expect. Let me know if you have any questions. The Auditorium has been demolished and filled in. Demo went as planned. The exposed doors on the west wall of the junior high have been secured both from the inside and outside with insulation in between. The doorways are secure and safe. Dirt work is being completed at BHS to prepare for footings. This work will be completed before students return. Bid opening for the BHS project will be August 22nd. The board will meet on August 28th to award bids. There will be 38 different bid categories, so many contractors. No more work is scheduled at BHS until mid-late September once bids are awarded, contracts signed, permit received from state, etc. Door #2 by the BHS office will be in use, though it will be walking across plywood. The main entrance will also be open. Safety walls will be installed in the hallway up the ramp toward the junior high so it is ready for work on the exterior wall. The hallway will be narrowed. Remember that 14th street and Elizabeth Ave north of BHS will be one way streets. School buses will be unloading and loading north of BHS. The entrance by the junior high will be open for the school year. All BHS entrances and junior high will be open for Open House and into September. At NS all entrances will be open for Open House. After Open House safety fencing will be installed so the main entrance will not be usable. Safety fencing will also be going up on the west end of NS. Most of the East of NS will still be available for staff parking. Parking will be the same at NS as last year expect for about 6 slots. The new parking lot will not be constructed until the summer as to not take up playground space and for safety. There will be a “Ground Breaking” Ceremony at NS on August 27th at 2:00 p.m. Significant work on the exterior NS will begin the end of August. Remember that the street in front of NS will be a one-way going west. Signs will be posted before school starts. Sincerely, Dennis Laumeyer Benson Public Schools Superintendent

PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT - SUMMER 2019

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 11:50:00 GMT

Starting Wednesday, June 19th, the circle drive at Benson High School will no longer be available. Security fencing will be installed. Access will be from the high school parking lot entrances. The main doors will be open to enter the high school. Please use care when entering and exiting near construction sites. Construction will take place in various phases and areas at the high school and Northside Elementary until completion, expected in 2021. Please share this information with students, family, friends and community members and remember to use extreme caution by keeping a safe distance from construction sites. We appreciate your cooperation and respect for the safety of everyone involved in this exciting project for our school and community! Sincerely, Dennis Laumeyer Benson Public Schools Superintendent

East Gym Scheduled to be Ready June 1, NS & BHS Updates

Thu, 16 May 2019 14:29:00 GMT

East Gym construction continues to progress. Attached is a photo with the wood floor installed. The next steps are to stain part of the floor and paint lines. Bleachers will be set on May 28th. The East gym is scheduled to be ready for use on June 1st. Bid Package #1 was opened on May 16th. This bid package includes site preparation, excavation, and demolition at BHS. Bids came in under budget so if there are no major surprises, we should stay on budget. The plan is for the auditorium to be demolished this summer before school starts. The architects and engineers are working hard to finish drawings and specs for NS work. The NS bid package is expected to be released in early June and bid opening mid-June. We hope bids come in favorable. Work is expected to start in July. There will be some inconveniences at NS during construction. The main front doors will not be usable due to construction and parking on the East side of NS will be used for construction equipment and materials. Attached is a NS rendering. BHS bid package is expected to be released in August with work to begin in September. The 10,000 gallon fuel oil tank outside the BHS cafeteria was removed to be ready for site preparation and excavation for the auditorium. It is exciting to see all of the planning coming together and people getting to see exterior construction starting! Thank you in advance for your patience during the construction process. Benson is going to have amazing spaces that everyone will be proud of. Thank you for all of the staff input on this process.

Progress Continues on the East Gym Remodel

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 18:13:00 GMT

East Gym: Progress is being made on the East Gym remodel. As shown in the attached photo, the ceiling has been painted and baskets are being mounted. They are also painting the walls. Electrical has been roughed in. Lights are scheduled to be installed the week of March 25th. In addition, the second attachment shows workers replacing the roof. Fortunately bids came in lower than expected and the roofing project was able to be included in the overall gym remodel. The roof was in need of replacement. East Gym: For many years there has been a water leak into the East Gym space. To prevent any damage to the new wood floor, the architect and engineer are finalizing plans to mitigate the water issue. Most likely it will involve digging a trench at the south and east walls, adding water barrier, adding drain tile, and filling back in. The plan is to have the exterior water mitigation work completed in the next 2-3 weeks and have the floor installed in early May. The bleachers are scheduled to be installed mid-May. Main Construction Project: After many meetings September 2018-March, 2019 the architects and engineers are working hard completing drawings and writing specs, though there are still details and meetings to be held. Bid Package #1 – BHS site work is schedule to go out in April with a May bid opening. This bid package will involve demolition of the auditorium and related site preparation work. NS bid package is scheduled for June release and the BHS bid package is scheduled for July release.

Construction is Underway on the New East Gym

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:29:00 GMT

East Gym: Construction is underway on the new “East” Gym. Part of the construction project will include repaving, and most likely redesign of the BHS parking lot. For more safety and efficiency we are looking at having busses pick up and drop off on the north side of BHS and parent pick up on the south side of the school. There will be work required to make bus drop off and pick up on the north side, perhaps making that street a one-way. Preliminary discussion has been held with Chief Hodge and SRO Paula Wilson. More information will be coming as this phase progresses. Northside Addition: The Benson City Council approved a conditional use permit at Northside for the cafeteria addition and the preschool addition to be within the set-back limits. This is a big step forward. We thank the city council and Mayor for their support. Design and layout meetings continue: Preschool staff met with the architect to continue design work. Two teachers are going to the new elementary school (Lakeland) in Willmar to get design ideas for classrooms. Preschool staff visited another site to get ideas. There was a meeting on the auditorium as well with the architect and engineer. Much time was put into the auditorium sound and light needs. There is a tremendous amount of detail in an auditorium. Thank you to Brock and the auditorium committee for visiting other auditoriums to get ideas and be prepared. The school board worked with the architect and engineer to decide on mechanical systems at the NS additions and at BHS. The school board will be holding a work session. One of the agenda items will be to get an update on the auditorium from the architect, engineer, and Brock. The Construction Manager (CM) is analyzing the drawings to this point. He will be contacting area contractors to get real time costs on different parts of construction. The CM will be giving a budget report and timeline to the school board at the February meeting. This is the job of the CM, to make sure the project is on budget and completed on time. This will be their first report, with more to follow as we work through construction. The plan right now is to demolish the auditorium before school begins for the 19-20 school year. If this happens, the main BHS entrance may not be available for the school year. This is not definite, however it may be a possibility. The NS main entrance may also be disrupted as construction happens on the cafeteria. Still working on options at NS. Please know that parking will be limited around BHS and NS during periods of construction and we may have longer walks to get to the buildings. While nothing is visual at this point, much progress is being made and many exciting things happening. Thank you to the staff for how prepared you have been for design and layout meetings and for having open minds to new ideas. This is fun and exciting stuff happening in our schools! While the footprints (layouts) of the main construction areas are pretty well finalized, some of the interior work is yet in design phase.

Breitbach Construction Updates on the East Gym Project

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:37:00 GMT

East Gym: Breitbach Construction gave an update on the East gym project. Initial wiring is completed and fire suppression is completed. Painters are now painting the ceiling. Basketball hoops are scheduled to be mounted next week and electricians will begin to hang lights. Water has come through the block onto the floor. This has been an ongoing problem. Breitbach is putting together a plan to mitigate the water infiltration so not to damage the wood floor. Likely, this will mean digging around the foundation, applying a water proof sealant to the exterior, putting in drain tile, and then filling with rock to drain. Grade for the original building was to be 2’. When the choir room was added, the grade went to 5’ so it is suspected that water proofing went up 2’, but not 5’. Plans for the main projects continue to move forward. Drawing and specs are being worked on. Bid package #1 – BHS site prep work is scheduled to be released in April, with bid opening in May. This includes demolishing the auditorium. CM Agreement: The board approved the Construction Management Agreement. ARY Agreement: The board approved the agreement with ARY (architects).

Art & Band Rooms Transitioning to New Classrooms

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:25:00 GMT

Art Room Change: Art teacher Jenessa Grossman transitioned to a new classroom (room 412) at the beginning of second semester. The kiln has been set and wired right outside the room in the welding shop, outlets have been wired in the room, cabinets removed, projector mounted, and countertop and sinks removed from the current art room and installed into the new art location. Old Art Room: Band will move into the current art room during the time of the auditorium construction. The move will begin once Art is situated in the new room. Current Auditorium: The tentative plan is to demolish the auditorium before the 2019-2020 school year begins. We are discussing options for the ALC location. With the plan to demolish the auditorium this coming summer, we want to have everything moved out of that space before the end of the school year. Builders Risk Insurance: From the on-going category of “we don’t know, what we don’t know”. School districts need to carry Builders Risk Insurance both to cover on-site materials as well as “Soft Cost” Risk Insurance. Dave and I are working with the district insurance broker to secure insurance for these areas. Bond Funds: Bond Funds were received on December 6th and have been invested with PFM. Following the initial draw schedule, the funds have been invested in a mix of short and long term accounts. Liquidity is important so the district has funds to pay invoices as they come in, but invest long term to maximize return. School Districts are very restricted in where funds can be invested. Gym Remodel: Contracts are being prepared and contractors have ordered performance/payment bonds and insurance certifications. Pending the final building permit, contractors should be ready to go on the gym remodel the week of December 17th.

The East Gym Project Continues to Move Forward

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:32:00 GMT

The East gym project continues to move forward. Looking at the construction timeline, all of the indoor remodel and mechanical work is scheduled to be completed during the summer of 2020. To ensure that all of the construction is completed, school calendars will be adjusted to provide 16 weeks of construction time during the summer of 2020. School calendars for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 will allow for 16 weeks – or “Summer Slam” - as contractors refer to these summer school projects.

New East Gym Bids Opened

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 15:18:00 GMT

The school board sold bonds and approved the bond with an interest rate of 3.57%. This is below the estimated rate, saving tax payers $2 million over the 20 year bond. Closing will be December 6th. Bids were opened for the new gym remodel. The new gym will be called the “East” Gym. The base bid and two alternates (one for 4 basketball hoops and one for new bleachers) recommended to be accepted are over $100,000 below budget. The school board will take action on the bids at the Tuesday meeting. The project is slated to begin December 1st and be completed around April 1, 2019. Please note that the area south of the Trades House to the parking spots by the DK playground and receiving room door areas will be used for staging construction equipment so there will be no staff parking in those areas. Thank you for locating other areas to park. The school board will be interviewing a construction management company at the board meeting on Tuesday evening. The goal is to have a construction manager that works with the architects during pre-planning, work on bid plans, set a reasonable construction schedule, work with budgeting on the project, keep contractors on budget, keep contractors on schedule, provide daily quality control, etc. The process of changing spaces to accommodate construction phases is beginning. As part of the plan, the art room will be relocated to the far NE room at BHS (next to the metal shop). The NE room will be renovated over the next 3-4 weeks. The current art room will be used by band during construction.

What Will Referendum Vote Mean to Benson Schools?

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 20:56:00 GMT

The vote on the school referendum plan is just days away. What will this vote mean to our community? How will it impact our students? Why is it needed? Overall, the Aug. 14 school bond referendum seeks to equip our community with collaborative learning environments and sought-out activity spaces that engage and elevate our students and our community. It focuses on right-sizing our school facilities and equipping us with spaces we need to meet educational needs today and into the future. Here’s a look at five of the key impacts of the vote on Aug. 14: 1. New Auditorium Benson Schools had to close the auditorium in May 2017 after the ceiling collapsed on the 1928 building. In the past year, there have been over 100 requests for uses for an auditorium. A new 600-seat auditorium would provide enhanced experiences for our students and the community with dedicated performing arts space for concerts, theater and dance performances. It would significantly improve accessibility to make it easy and more inviting for all to attend. The auditorium would be available for community use and be a place that brings our community together and draws others to Benson. 2. Added Security School safety remains in the national headlines and a top priority for Benson Public Schools. This plan creates new secured entrances at both the elementary and high school buildings to give our students and families added peace of mind. The offices for Community Education, activities, school resource officer and the high school also will move next to the new main entrance for convenient access by parents and community members. 3. Combined Preschool-5th Grade Building This plan meets the community’s request to move 5th grade students to the elementary school in a dedicated building that will serve our community’s earliest learners through 5th graders. 4. New Early Learning Center In the past four years, Benson Schools has grown to serve 87 percent of local 4-year-olds and engages children from birth to equip them in the critical early years and prepare them for success in school. The new early learning center would be added on to Northside Elementary to more efficiently meet the needs of the community’s earliest learners in a safe and dedicated space that provides a smooth transition to kindergarten. 5. Collaborative Learning Environments Benson Public Schools offers the most college level classes and career enrichment activities in the area. Seeking to continue to equip our students for their futures, this plan includes collaborative learning spaces for grades 7-12. In these spaces, students will experience more hands-on activities where they can work together to problem solve, seek new information and become the critical thinkers the modern-day workforce needs. A special thanks to each of the 45 members of the Community Task Force who volunteered hours to evaluate our district’s learning and facility needs, discover what’s working in other schools and develop a plan to meet the community’s vision. \Click to learn more about the process, the plan and the impact. Vote on Aug. 14.

Benson Schools Named Minnesota Innovation Zone

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 12:25:00 GMT

The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) awarded Innovation Research Zone status to Benson Public Schools, starting this school year. Benson is one of only three rural district collaboratives that received the innovation designation. “This year Benson Schools is embarking on a journey to build a culture of innovation that will serve as an example for others in our state and beyond,” said Dennis Laumeyer, superintendent of Benson Schools, which received the designation in partnership with Montevideo Public Schools. The Minnesota Legislature enacted this new program in 2017 to enable school districts and charter school an opportunity to test new ideas in K-12 education. This designation is designed to remove barriers and give the school recipients some flexibility in state mandates. “We excited about how this will enable us to further unleash our students and staff to develop their strengths, uncover new opportunities and be leaders in learning,” Laumeyer said. Designated schools research and implement innovative approaches to learning. These new approaches can be based on existing models or an emerging practice not yet supported by research. “This designation will enable us to get better results for our Benson students and help other schools in Minnesota implement innovative practices that achieve desired learning outcomes,” Laumeyer said.

Where to Vote on the School Referendum

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 20:42:00 GMT

Benson Public Schools is asking the community to vote on a school referendum on Aug. 14 as a part of the primary election. Some voters, particularly those living in area townships, will receive ballots in the mail from the county. If you receive a mailed ballot, complete it and mail it back to the county. Other voters can cast their vote at their polling location on Aug. 14 or by visiting the their county election office any time during regular business hours before Aug. 14. Click to find your county election office. Anyone can vote absentee before Aug. 14 and it's easy to register to vote on the spot. Here's a look at how you will vote based on where you live: Swift County Benson Armory: Benson P-1 Benson P-2 Benson Twp. Torning Twp. DeGraff City Office: DeGraff Kildare Twp. West Bank Town Hall: West Bank Twp. Mailed Ballot: (Mailed on July 10) Camp Lake Twp. Cashel Twp. Clontarf Clontarf Twp. Danvers Dublin Twp. Kerkhoven Twp. Marysland Twp. Six Mile Grove Twp. Swenoda Twp. Tara Twp. Pope County Hoff Twp. - Mail Ballot (Mailed July 16) Langhei Twp. - Mail Ballot (Mailed July 16) Rolling Forks Twp. - Precinct Chippewa County Mandt Twp. - Mail Ballot (Mailed around July 25) Grace Twp. - Mail Ballot (Mailed around July 25) Register to Vote Are you registered to vote? Click to check your status online. Click to register to vote today. Vote Absentee Voters also can vote early by mail by applying for an absentee ballot from the Minnesota Secretary of State. Ballots will be sent starting June 29 for the Aug. 14 Primary Election. Ballots will not be counted if they are received after Aug. 14. Click to request an absentee ballot. Preparing to Vote Voters can begin preparing for the vote by viewing the sample ballot and learning more about the plans. Attend an upcoming information meeting on July 18 and Aug. 7 and get your questions answered. Click to view a sample ballot. Click to learn more about the referendum plans.

The Impact of Collaborative Learning Spaces

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:00:00 GMT

Imagine coming together in small groups to solve a problem. Each individual brings skills to the table and together the group explore strategies, troubleshoots and reaches a desired outcome. It's a natural experience in the workforce and one that schools like Benson are seeking to give students. It's the modern day approach to teaching and learning. It starts with teachers and curriculum, but also requires intentional spaces designed with these outcomes in mind. Schools across the state and nation have been integrating new collaborative learning environments into their facilities to engage, equip and empower 21st century learners. Research shows taking a collaborative approach to learning achieves better outcomes for students, including: Higher academic achievement Greater productivity More supportive relationships between students Improved psychological health Better self-esteem Increased social competence. These collaborative learning environments designed especially for students, grades 6-12, are a part of the Community Equipped referendum plan developed by a 45-member Community Task Force for Benson Public Schools. It will go before voters on Aug. 14. A rendering of the proposed space is below:

Benson Students Earned 2,000 College Credits in High School

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 12:46:00 GMT

Benson Public Schools is equipping students in new ways to ensure they are ready for the next step and their future careers. In the past three years alone, Benson students earned over 2,000 college credits for free while still in high school. That has saved local families nearly $750,000 in just three years. This enables students to stay challenged and engaged in learning throughout their high school experience. They get a jumpstart on college from the comforts of home and enter college ready to explore career fields. Through partnerships with local employers, Benson High School students also have access to a rising number of internships where they can apply what they're learning in the classroom and discover potential career paths, including those that allow them to stay here in Benson. Last year, Benson High doubled the number of internships and hours spent at internships. "We want our students to see how what they're learning makes a difference and develop passions for their future careers," Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer said. "Our Benson students continue to be eager for new opportunities. They want to work as teams, solve problems and produce something meaningful." Students have learned everything from welding and using specialized industry software and plasma cutter to designing websites, repairing engines and building furniture. A facility plan, developed by a 45-member Community Task Force, includes adding collaborative learning environments at Benson High School designed especially for students, grades 6-12, to work together in small groups to apply their learning and solve problems in a way that capitalizes on one another's skills and resources. The plan will go before voters on Aug. 14.

Benson Referendum In the News

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 16:01:00 GMT

In case you missed it, here's a look at coverage of the 2018 bond referendum in the local media. Click on the headlines to view the articles. $26 Million Referendum in Benson School District August 1, 2018 - West Central Tribune "With low interest rates and the new state tax credit that will reduce the financial burden for agricultural land affected by school capital bonding, Laumeyer said the timing could be right to gain approval." Remember Who the School Building is About July 17, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record (Editorial) "The plan before voters was developed by fellow citizens who studied in-depth the needs of our students, community, and businesses. They looked hard at the costs and options. The plan before us is the best set of proposals for meeting the needs of our children and community. To delay action further would not only be an abandonment of our responsibility to those children but also to our business community." Description of Proposed School Construction Project July 17, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record "Benson Public Schools, lSD #777, is proposing a bond referendum on August 14, 2018, that would authorize $26.3 million in bonding authority to finance facility improvements at the elementary and middle/high school attendance centers." Many Show Up to Hear School Building Proposal June 29, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record "More than 70 people attended the first meeting sponsored by Benson Public Schools to inform the public about the purpose of the proposed $26.3 million building levy referendum to be voted on Aug. 14." Building a Better Future for Our Children June 28, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record "We have no children or grandchildren in the Benson schools. But that is not what we base our decision on to wholeheartedly support this referendum. We back this referendum because it is our turn to support the future of the community’s children. It is our turn to support the needs of the businesses of the community. It is our turn to support the needs of our faculty to have modern, quality facilities in which to teach our children." Benson School Levy Should Be Our Focus April 18, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record "Benson Public Schools is studying options for addressing building maintenance needs as well as essential facility upgrades that could cost between $20 and $29 million. It has brought three citizen groups together to give it input on the most critical building needs." School Board Pleased with Citizen Input on Buildings Feb. 9, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record "All the (community) groups agreed that it is imperative that the district’s buildings be very attractive and “vibrant.” For people to notice change there has to be a change they can drive up to and see." School Board Seeks Citizen Input on Referendum January 12, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record "The Benson school board is seeking volunteers to serve on a school committee to analyze the school facilities. Each committee will work independently with the school architect and superintendent to analyze the current facilities and make a facilities improvement recommendation to the board. This is a grassroots effort where the community will help shape the direction of the district facilities by assisting the school board." School Could Set Levy for May January 5, 2018 - Swift County Monitor Record "Benson Public Schools could be going to the voters in May asking them to support a levy referendum for basic maintenance and upgrading of district buildings. Just what the projects would be and what they would cost has to be decided yet. School board members are going to rely on input from a cross-section of district citizens for direction on the scope of a building renovation project. Those citizens will be brought together for several meetings, given a tour of facilities, told what problems each has and the challenges the problems present."

Benson Student Studies in Brazil

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 13:27:00 GMT

Benson Public Schools seeks to give students immersive learning experiences that engage them today and equip them for their futures. This summer, one Benson High School senior took his interest in agriculture and biology to Brazil for a two-month study abroad program. Jay Evan McGee was among the 24 students selected for the prestigious Borlaug-Ruan International Internship through the World Food Prize. This internship program aims to inspire high school students to embark on career paths in science, agriculture and global development. "These experiences are one of kind and completely unique," Jay Evan shared from Brazil. "Personally, this program has changed my life." As a selected student, Jay Evan received an all-expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience, working with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers around the globe. Jay Evan’s journey on this experience began with an FFA project that he completed at Benson High School, under the direction of Ag instructor Nancy Loen. The focus of the paper was How to Use Algae As a Food Source. Prior to this experience, Jay Evan also was selected to participate in a three-day Global Youth Institute hosted by the World Food Prize Foundation. This internship will equip with skills and real-world applications for Jay Evan as he works toward a future degree in biology. Congratulations to Jay Evan and his mentor Nancy Loen. Jay Evan shares about the program in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Eo2X7ceYp0

Key Referendum Questions Answered

Thu, 02 Aug 2018 13:01:00 GMT

By Dennis Laumeyer, Superintendent Aug. 14 marks a defining day for Benson Public Schools. After months of planning and preparation, Benson area residents will vote on a referendum plan to equip our community with collaborative learning environments and sought-out activity spaces that engage and elevate our students and our community. We have a lot to be proud of here in Benson through the enhanced opportunities we provide students to prepare them to learn, earn college credits and gain lifelong skills through a variety of electives and extracurricular activities. Here are answers to a few key questions as you prepare to vote on Aug. 14: What is the state tax credit on this project? The Minnesota Legislature approved a permanent Ag2School 40 percent tax credit that went into effect in 2017. It gives agriculture land owners and private timber land owners significant tax relief on school bonds and has tripled the state share. When applying it in Benson, this group of local landowners will pay 42 percent of this levy and the state of Minnesota now will pay 28 percent of their portion. That means the state will contribute $11 million to the project, including interest. How do our taxes compare to others? Benson Schools ranks lowest in total taxes compared to neighboring districts and this proposed project still will keep the school district tax bill below average. What about interest? Like with mortgages and other loans, this project also will have interest. The current rate of about 4 percent is very low. Waiting likely would increases costs. The average impact on a local taxpayer is $6.92 a month, including interest. Where did this plan come from? Benson Public Schools called for volunteers last year to assist with evaluating the district’s educational needs and creating an action plan. It led to the development of a 45-member task force representing farmers, business leaders, parents, staff and community members who worked meticulously to develop a plan that is the vision for our school and community. How is the district’s enrollment? Benson Public Schools has seen growth in a series of areas, primarily among our community’s youngest learners. Last year’s kindergarten class represented the largest group in our elementary school and Benson Schools now serves 87 percent of the local 4-year-olds in our preschool program to prepare them for school and future success. This plan focuses on right sizing our spaces.The plan adds 55,000 square feet, updates 23,000 square feet, and removes 112,000 square feet. Who gets to bid on the project? The construction-related bids would be released in small amounts so local contractors have an opportunity to bid on the project. Attend Aug. 7 Meeting Learn more about the project and ask questions at an upcoming meeting on Aug. 7. The meeting will provide an overview of the project with a focus on collaborative learning spaces and security plans. It also will include a review and comment portion. The meeting will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. at Benson High School Cafeteria. Get updates and learn more today by following the district on Facebook or viewing referendum news.

Proposed Site Plan Released for Northside Elementary

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Benson Public Schools today unveiled the proposed site plan and exterior rendering for the Northside Elementary addition. The plan would bring together the district's earliest learners and grades K-5 in one convenient, safe and dedicated space that promotes active learning. Learn more about the referendum plans for the district. Key components of the referendum vote on Aug. 14 at Northside Elementary include: A nearly 15,000-square-foot Early Childhood Addition that will accommodate district's child care and preschool programs 40-unit parking lot with convenient drop-off for early childhood A new 3,000-square-foot multi-use space that will serve as a cafeteria, activity space and collaborative learning environment Remodeled kitchen More secure entry Under this plan, the district would add about 18,000 square feet at Northside Elementary, as shown in dark red below, and remodel a total of 1,600 square feet, as highlighted in light red: View the site plan and rendering for Benson High School.

KSCR Interviews Leaders on Aug. 14 Referendum

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 17:26:00 GMT

Members of the Community Task Force that led to the 2018 bond referendum talk about the process and plan on KSCR. Those interviewed included: Dave Nagler - Landowner Jesse Hughes - Business Owner and Landowner Jim Hilleren - Landowner Tim Nagler - Landowner Eric Peterson - Business Leader Dennis Laumeyer - School Superintendent Listen to the interview.

Column: Inside the Referendum Plans

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 16:43:00 GMT

By Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer When I first came to Benson, the school district’s history of providing a large number of quality enrichment activities caught my attention. Over the years, I have seen a growing number of students participate in a variety of activities. In a year, we’ve had more than 350 students in choir and band, over 75 in theater, and over 200 dancers. So, I understood the disappointment in May 2017 when the district had to close the 1928 auditorium after the ceiling collapsed. In the past year, it has meant limiting access and learning opportunities for students. The broader community felt it, too, as the district moved concerts, theater productions and dance programs to the gymnasium. We have not had enough room for everyone and the seating has been inadequate, especially those who have accessibility limitations and our elderly residents. The Aug. 14 bond referendum seeks to change that. A new auditorium that would seat 600 people in comfortable theater-style environment and have full accessibility for all is among the key components of the upcoming bond referendum. Meeting Key Needs The $26-million plan developed by the 45-member Community Task Force aims to meet key needs of the community with a minimal tax impact, including: Create new dedicated auditorium space and add music room at high school Create child care and early learning center at Northside Elementary School Add Northside cafeteria, which also provides needed activity and community space Remove 90-year-old auditorium Remove 90 and 68 year old junior high buildings Create a PreK- grade 5 dedicated learning center at Northside Develop a 6-12th grade secondary school Develop collaborative learning environments to engage junior and high school students Repurpose pool to activity space Upgrade secure entries at elementary and high schools This will mark the school district’s first major remodel since 1994. Efficient Use Overall, this project promotes the efficient use of the district's current facilities and update spaces to meet the changing needs of education. This project will add about 55,000 square feet, remove 112,000 square feet and update more than 21,000 square feet. Attend Meetings & Tours We will continue to share more details on the plan in the coming weeks. Join us at Northside Elementary for the next informational meeting and tour from 6-7:30 pm on July 18. The meeting will focus on plans for child care and early learning through elementary, new cafeteria/activity space and safety upgrades. Learn more today and receive updates by following Benson Public Schools on Facebook and Twitter.

Imagining a New Auditorium in Benson

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 18:08:00 GMT

The 2018 bond referendum for Benson Public Schools includes building a new auditorium that would seat about 600 people in comfortable theater-style environment. Just one component of the plan, this auditorium seeks to: · Bring our community together. We see this as a beautiful space that would bring our community together and become a place that draws others to Benson for exciting and anticipated theatrical, musical and dance performances that they can experience. As a community space, we would welcome churches and other community groups to use it. · Enhance production experiences. We could serve more students through our programs and expand experiences in lighting, sound, set design and other aspects of a production. · Host professional performances. We imagine hosting professional artists to show students where their dreams could take them and provide meaningful entertainment for our community. Similar auditoriums have been built across Greater Minnesota, including this one in Dassel, Minnesota.

Leaders Share Auditorium and Activity Plans for Referendum

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 17:13:00 GMT

More than 100 community members gathered Monday night to learn more about Benson Public Schools' Aug. 14 bond referendum and take a tour. Leaders from the Community Task Force provided an overview of the process they went through to evaluate the school facilities and develop a next step plan to meet the needs of students and the community. Click to view the slide presentation with more details. During this first community meeting, leaders focused on the plans for a new auditorium and activity spaces. Future meetings will focus on another key components of the plan, including birth to elementary, school safety and collaborative learning. Click to learn more about upcoming meetings. Overall, this project promotes the efficient use of the district's current facilities and update spaces to meet the changing needs of education. This project will add about 55,000 square feet, remove 112,000 square feet and updated a series of other spaces from early learning and elementary to junior high and high school. Learn more about the plan.

Proposed Site Plan Released for Benson High

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 20:51:00 GMT

Benson Public Schools released the proposed site plans and artistic rendering for the updates for junior and senior high spaces under the 2018 school bond referendum. Key components include collaborative learning environments and other spaces for junior high, an auditorium, a band room and a more secure entry. Site Plan This aerial provides an overview of the site changes to Benson High School. The new spaces are highlighted in dark red. The remodeled spaces are highlighted in light red. New Space Added The highlighted space in the site plan below shows the new space to be added at Benson High School.

Why a New Auditorium in Benson?

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 18:03:00 GMT

Benson Public Schools provides band and choir opportunities to about 350 students every day. The district engages 200 dancers, from ages 3-18, in an extensive dance program and recently had to limit our musical to 75 participants. Last year, the arts programming took a significant hit when the district had to close its long-time theater. The ceiling on the 1928 building collapsed. It was beyond patching and the repairs that the district had done in the past. The district had to move its concerts, theater productions and dance programs to the gymnasium. The lack of an auditorium impacts the quality of the programming and led the district to limit access for students. "Benson students have remained committed and energized," Superintendent Dennis Laumeyer said. "But we know the experiences are so limited and far from what we want to give them. We don’t want our small-town roots ever holding our students back from gaining enriched experiences that will shape them for a lifetime." While other smaller schools and communities may have let go of fine arts opportunities, Benson has sought to enhance them. Providing quality programming for all ages has been a part of the district's history and a source of pride for the community. "Among the thrills of my job has been watching people pour into the gymnasium and sit on bleachers to support our arts programs"Laumeyer said. "We have not had enough room for everyone and the seating has been inadequate, especially those who have accessibility limitations and our elder residents." The 2018 bond referendum seeks to change that. It includes building a new auditorium that would seat about 600 people in comfortable theater-style environment.

Benson Schools Seeks Photographer

Thu, 21 Jun 2018 11:32:00 GMT

Benson Public Schools is seeking a dynamic and experienced photographer to take pictures for the Benson Braves extra and co-curricular teams and individuals. Requirements: The equipment and expertise to take professional quality photographs Flexible schedule – pictures may need to be taken during the morning, afternoon, and evenings Speedy Turnaround – Orders must be shipped within 24-36 hours of arriving at the lab Ability to produce a variety of products and services, including buttons, stickers, keychains, backpack tags, banners, poster, magnets, and other products and packages Offer a variety of customer photo packages High quality customer service to work with coaches, advisors, student-athletes, and parents Offer competitive pricing for families If you can meet these requirements and would like the opportunity to capture team pride and promote the Benson Braves student-athletes, please contact Benson Schools at 320.843.2710.

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