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The plans to free-up classroom space for growing enrollment in Sunrise Elementary School,  by relocating first graders to the education center facility,  are closer to reality.  

The North Branch school board last week awarded a bid unanimously to VersaCon Inc. the low and best base at $698,000.  The  several bids that district officials and consultant ATS&R reviewed — went from Rochon at the high end with $879,000 and the next one closest to VersaCon was Jorgenson at $749,000. 

This work has no connection to the capital levy the district asked voters to extend in a special election February 10.  The ballot question was for a specific sum designated for technology use.  The levy was for 10 years and the district wanted it to be reinstated in 2027.  Taxpayers voted  599 no (to 397 yes) on continuing this special levy.

The middle school will begin to be prepped, creating offices allowing  district administrative staff to move out of the education center.  The first grade population will then occupy former administrative square footage in the ed center.  First graders will fit seamlessly with the pre-school and kindergarten programming already headquartered in the education center.

The middle school and education center share a large parking lot at Grand Avenue and Lincoln Trail.  Sunrise River Elementary is south of this, on Grand Avenue a mile or so.

Todd Tetzlaff, who presented the bids, reminded the Board North Branch has reserve funds and a balance in the long term facility maintenance account to finance this work,  which was embraced by the Board based on a space needs study done by consulting designers over a year ago. Work will probably be spread over two years.

An educational issue discussed at a prior Board meeting (Press story January 15) has been resolved with the consensus being to NOT make personal finance a mandatory credit in grad requirements.  The Board had considered adding it to grad requisites a full year ahead of the state action making it a mandatory course.

The Board members had feared introducing personal finance too rapidly would disrupt juniors’ lesson plans that often are arranged long-term.  

“Exposure” to personal finance will be offered in the 2026-2027 instructional year with an “opt out’ choice, but will not become a requirement until fall start 2027.

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