Backup plan

Junior and senior high school students may begin the 2021-2022 school year in Ewing, if the new Summerland school isn’t completed when the first bell is scheduled to ring in August.

Superintendent Dale Martin told board members the construction project sounds like “it’s on track for the elementary to be out there.”

“The high school, still not as confident yet. Still could happen that we start there, but we should at least plan ... as a contingency plan.”

Martin said administrators met and devised a list of pros and cons for the Ewing and Orchard sites.

Clearwater’s site is not an option as Educational Service Unit 8 takes ownership June 15.

The Orchard site, and a potential deal with the village, is still being negotiated.

Martin asked board member Nate Schwager if plans are still on track.

Schwager said, “Yes, they have things they want to work through,” he said.

“Our recommendation would be to use the Ewing building,” Martin said.

High school principal Greg Appleby outlined a plan, if Ewing houses seventh grade through seniors.

“We would need to use the elementary building. We do have security cameras here for kids going back and forth to buildings,” Appleby said.

Activities may be affected also.

The high school football team would use the Ewing football field for practice.

“I’ve talked to the city and they’ll allow junior high to practice on the outfield of the baseball field. We’ve done that before,” Appleby said.

According to Martin, games would be played at one site, most likely Orchard.

Clearwater principal Mike Sanne said Clearwater isn’t feasible for game situations since there will be no locker room access.

Board member Marty Kerkman questioned why the team wouldn’t play in Ewing, if practices are held there.

“Keep them all at one site instead of transportation back and forth,” he said.

Martin said Orchard field conditions make it a good choice.

Appleby said the Orchard field and press box are in better condition.

“Right now we have no water to our press box because the city put in a new water line last year and couldn’t find the line that went to the pressbox,” he said.

Appleby estimated it would cost 5,000 to run a new water line to the press box.

“Right now we’re running hoses to the rest room because we have a water gun,” he said.

Schwager asked why junior high students couldn’t use the main field.

Counselor Kendra Shrader said practice could extend past the school’s eighth period.

Most likely, high school volleyball will be practiced and played at the new site. Junior high will practice at the Ewing site.

“At least the main gym will be ready,” Martin said.

Candice Hoke asked if starting school after Labor Day is an option.

Martin said it isn’t clear if construction will be completed by then.

“They said about a month the last time I talked to them. A month could take us to around Sept. 16. I would think you’d want to move when it’s ready, at least sometime soon. I don’t think you’d want to wait a whole quarter,” he said.

Appleby said administrators have discussed what the process of moving will look like. Preliminary discussions have included talk about an “extended weekend,” with one day to box materials, one travel day and a teacher workday before classes start at the new site on a Monday.

“I don’t know if that’s a great idea or a bad idea,” he said. ‘You can’t take a week off, can’t take a week and a half. You have to have some plan,” he said.