Basically, it’s time to start from “ground zero” on Hennessey’s track.

“It’s critical that the sub-base (on the track) be replaced,” a Beynon Sports Surfaces representative told Hennessey school board members Monday night.

Beynon’s base bid to replace the track is $795,000, and Hellas Construction’s base bid is $762,000, Superintendent Jason Sternberger said.

“You need to start over,” Dennis Regan, Beyon’s Wichita salesman, told the board.

A Hellas rep was not at the meeting and after much discussion, Sternberger suggested, and the board agreed, to table the matter.

Timing on Construction

Regan said if they got the bid, they’d start in November, but due to weather conditions they wouldn’t be able to install track until March.

Installation would take 21 days, including two days to stripe it, he said.

The track is located east of the football field and would have to be funded by the district.

It had applied to use some of its Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds, but the request was denied by the State Department of Education.

All board members were present: President Dr. James Matthew Matousek, Vice President Luke Lough, Clerk Patrick Griffin, Cristopher Choate and David Tillman. Also at the board table were Timberly Jech, office manager and recording secretary, and Sternberger.

Staff in the audience were Principals Stacey Mack (early childhood) and Barry Crosswhite (elementary), and tech staffers Todd Cameron and Raeanna Fuksa.

There were also about 20 Chisholm Trail Technology Center staff members present. [Ed. note: See story on Page 1.]

Anything Salvageable?

“Is there anything salvageable?” asked Griffin.

Regan said he understood the track had not been used in about 10 years and the “first thing is to make sure it’s 400 meters.”

The donated land and track construction did not include the required length, Regan said he’d been told.

He said some of the corners could be used.

The bid by Hellas shows that firm would tear those out, said a board member.

Regan said if they discovered they’d need to be removed, his group would do so at no extra charge.

“What about the high jump?” asked Tillman.

“It has to come out,” said Regan, who said the geotechnical report the superintendent had ordered has been invaluable.

He said there are a lot of tears in the pavement, and he’d never seen another one quite that bad.

“With a sound base, we can stabilize it,” and there is a lot of clay there.

Griffin said there is a lot of sand in that area and others agreed.

Regan said the geotech reports shows clay.

Someone mentioned earthquakes and Regan said there is a lot of fracking in the Cherokee area, but they’ve had no cracking in their track.

“The content of materials is important,” he said, and his company uses more polyurethane than others.

“What will it take to finish it?” asked Lough.

Sternberger said they’ll need to install a fence around the track. There was also talk about converting the old bus barn into restrooms and other facilities.

Superintendent’s Report

He said the school is eligible for $2.9 million in ESSER funds and 20% of that amount must be used for summer learning programs, extended day and after-school programs.

Hennessey’s $2.3 million may be used on facility repairs and construction to help reduce the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards, and to support student health needs.

Inspection, testing, maintenance, repair, replacement and projects to improve the indoor air quality is also on the ESSER list for uses of the funds, according to the State Department of Education’s website.

Anything more than $5,000 has to be approved by the SDE.

Sternberger also talked about expanding the cafeteria and Griffin suggested using the old gym at the high school. Staff in the audience said that facility is still in use.

Sternberger told the board work on the softball dugout would start in about two weeks, along with work on bleachers.

Tillman asked, “Is it possible to get an actual concession stand there?”

Sternberger said for now they could have a truck in there for that use.

He reported that they’d closed Friday on the purchase of the State Highway 51/Mitchell Road property, and next would be talking with the current tenants.

Board Election Called

The board routinely called for the annual school election of a board member. The seat up this year is held by Dr. James Matthew Matousek who said he plans to file for re-election.

Filing for the office is at the Kingfisher County Election Board in the courthouse Dec. 6-8.

If only two people file for the seat there will be Feb. 8, 2022, election, but if three or more file for that seat the general election will be April 5, 2022.

Other Business

The board approved an out-of-state trip for FFA to attend nationals, and approved these hirings: Joigairy Herrera, ELL teacher assistant; Kandi Snyder, daycare workers, and Kole Beaman, part-time custodian.

Sternberger said he’s also accepted the resignation of Macee Smith, a daycare worker.