The next phase of the West Liberty Activities Center will soon be underway thanks to the school board’s Feb. 3 approving of the West Liberty School District’s architect contract with OPN Architects, Inc. of Cedar Rapids.
OPN Architects will help design indoor facilities for the district’s activity center, including space for batting, golf, weights, track running, and aerobics, as well as classrooms, locker rooms, restrooms, and offices. The initial budget for the project is $9 million.
Through this agreement, OPN will provide West Liberty CSD with conceptual planning, schematic design, design development as according to district input, and construction development, which will provide the documents that will then go out to bid. Each phase will also provide its own cost estimate to assure that the design remains aligned with the district’s budget.
Following a brief discussion led by OPN representative Roger Worm the board unanimously voted to approve the contract. With the scope development phase already nearly complete, the next design phase of the project – schematic design - will begin this later month and run through April 2025. Bids for the project are expected to go out Sept. 2025.
District Career and Academic Plan Report
Counselors from West Liberty High School reviewed the district’s District Career and Academic Plan report with the board, as required by the state. Some of the district goals included increasing overall attendance, make sure all students feel “emotionally safe” through multi-tiered systems of support, and received “evidence-based core literacy instruction,” according to the plan.
Last year, the district hired West Liberty graduates Dionni Lupita Garcia-Vasquez and Jesse Aranday as AmeriCorps staff to serve as peer advisors for other students as they make their post-secondary plan. In addition to helping with FASFA and scholarship applications, these leaders are seen as a more comfortable option for students who may feel nervous about speaking with counselors or other adults.
The Xello online program was also established as a program students could use to learn about career paths as well as create and update their 4-year plan throughout high school.
Under the plan, the district held its first Senior Day during the 2023-2024 school year to encourage seniors to plan their post-secondary steps while also having fun, allowing students to feel a sense of belonging and advancing forward. All but five of the 90 seniors attended the event, with 42 college applications being completed.
District counselors reported that West Liberty 2024 graduating students together earned 644 college credits from Muscatine Community College in the four years they attended high school, with some completing the equivalent of one semester of college.
The counselors said the 2024-2025 plan identified a need for student reflections following career and college-focused field trips or presentations by guest speakers.
This year’s plan will also include more work-based learning activities, and play a part in the high school’s comprehensive counseling plan.
Superintendent report
Superintendent Shaun Kruger shouted out Elementary Principal Kirk Ryan as well as the district’s EL teachers, who have been running after-school tutoring for the district’s EL learners, preparing them for their English Language Proficiency Assessment test.
Kruger then acknowledged National School Counselors Week, praising Amy Butler and Carla Madrigal for their work in the elementary school. “They have been amazing additions to the elementary staff,” he said. “They are kind, empathetic, positive, and compassionate. They’ve helped create a safe and supportive environment for everyone.” He thanked them and the other counselors in the district for their hard work.
The superintendent thanked Activities Director Adam Loria for his work during last week’s wrestling meets. “Both events were very well-run, and they brought in many fans and spectators.”
He also thanked high school librarian Janet Smith for creating posters that promoted reading by using high school staff as model readers.
Kruger finished his report by stating he and his administration would be paying close attention to the school and education-related bills currently in legislation.