Brick wall woes deeper than expected

As seen on most HGTV home renovation shows, a repair at Northeastern High School became more complicated once work began.

As crews removed the outside layer of bricks to repair the gym’s exterior, they discovered issues with the barriers behind the bricks and determined the walls needed structural reinforcement. Additional insulation and water barriers will be added for protection.

Heather Harbert from VPS Architecture updated the board at its May 19 meeting. She said those additions will add a little extra time and work. The previously estimated completion date was mid-August but now it might be another eight to 10 weeks.

The gym shouldn’t be closed that whole time, but for safety reasons, the Knights’ May 29 graduation was moved to Richmond High School’s Tiernan Center.

A steel belt will be added, but it will be hidden with metal panels at the upper part of the building as a cost savings instead of using bricks. It will appear similar to the ag area, which already has metal panels.

Harbert said they’re not completely out of the woods for other surprises, but some financial contingencies were built into the project.

Other NWS repairs currently taking place might finish about $100,000 less than budgeted, Superintendent Jennifer O’Brien said. They’ll know more in a month, so the board won’t redirect any rainy day funds at this time.

O’Brien said core samples were taken before work began to anticipate extra difficulties, but tests came back OK. It wasn’t until the brick was removed that the issues appeared. When looking at the original building plans, they learned the walls weren’t meant to support that much weight.

In other business

O’Brien reminded families about adjusted start and end times in 2026-27. NWS plans early release Tuesdays to provide consistent teacher professional development and communication opportunities.

Early Learning Center: 8:15 a.m. start; end 2:30 p.m. (1:50 p.m. Tuesdays).

Northeastern Elementary: 8:10 a.m. start; end 2:35 p.m. car riders/2:45 buses load. (2 p.m. Tuesdays).

NMS/NHS: 8 a.m. start; end 3:05 p.m. (2:30 p.m. Tuesdays).

NWS also will follow a two-hour delay instead of 90 minutes for inclement weather.

Based on enrollment, NWS will have five sections of preschool, all at Early Learning Center.

Communities in Schools

CIS provided case management for 117 NWS students to reduce various achievement barriers.

Executive Director Sarah Scott shared their progress. During the first semester, 83% improved attendance, 86% showed improved behavior and 85% improved academics.

A total of 2,005 NWS students received support for basic needs; some individuals were counted multiple times in that number.

Personnel

Hires: Noah Collins and Ruth McGough, substitute teachers; Miranda Smith, grades 7-8 cheer coach; Ainsley Ziegler, NMS guidance counselor; Samantha Comiso, summer language facilitator; Madison Hodapp, assistant varsity softball coach; Grant Luebbe, NES fifth grade teacher (2026-27); Annelly Paredes, custodian; Phyllis Mays and Angel Amstutz, summer custodian; Lyden Berger and Conner Slick, summer grounds/maintenance; Matt Haynes, summer school; Brent Ross, summer boys basketball; Wes Oler, summer football; Cody Dudley, summer girls basketball; Brooklyn O’Neil, volunteer middle school cheer coach; Josh Cook, volunteer softball coach
Departures: Hannah Tudor, NES fifth grade teacher; Trevor Hall, NHS choir/band teacher; instructional assistants Kiersten Ramey (NELC) and Jennifer Blascak (NHS); Megan Scales, NHS MTSS sponsor; Kalib Parsley, music teacher; Jeanne Crowe, food services; Christa Brown, NHS/NMS school resource officer
Transfers: Instructional assistants Diana Harris (NHS) and Kasey Howell (NMS) from part time to full time and Makayla Wagers (NHS) from part time to full time; Bill Doggett, NHS instructional assistant to custodian