(KNZA)--During a special meeting Wednesday evening, the Hiawatha Board of Education voted on the facility improvement projects they want included in a bond issue to present to voters in April. 

Selected from a list of proposed improvements was replacement of the plumbing at the elementary school, security and life safety upgrades at all three district schools, replacement of the elementary school roof, replacement of the HVAC systems at the elementary and high schools, renovation of the HVAC system at the middle school, and replacement of the lighting at the elementary school.  Also selected for inclusion in the bond issue was fire alarm upgrades at all three schools and drainage improvements at the elementary school.

The consulting firm, the P1 Group, will now present firmer cost figures to the board on the proposed improvements by their January meeting.

Dustin Avey with the Kansas City financial firm, Piper Jaffray, also presented information to the board on different bond scenarios on 15-and 20-year bonds and how each would affect the mill levy, depending on the amount proposed in the bond.  Plans are to roll the refinancing of the existing bond issue for the middle school into the new bond issue to save interest.

During their January 12th meeting, the board will vote on a resolution placing a bond proposal on the April 7th general election ballot.

In other business, it was the consensus of the board not to implement a class  schedule change at the middle and high schools for next school year.
At their December 8th meeting, the board received a proposal for both schools to go to a traditional 7-period day.