Wauzeka school board approves new sign
In the wake of long-term budgets, multiple building repair projects and record retention policy updates, the March 18 Wauzeka-Steuben Board of Education agenda’s major discussion point was the bid for the school’s planned exterior signage.
Present were President Nikki Aselson, Clerk Thomas Martin, Treasurer Mara Hird and Jesse Bird. Vice President Ken Buck was absent. Also in attendance were Interim District Administrator Dr. Gary Albrecht as well as Kevin Kilburg and Jeff Mara.
In February, Albrecht presented two options for exterior signage to the board: a flat cutout made from a composite material with a vinyl print that would cost $8,152.70, and an illuminated, three-dimensional sign with an acrylic color and LED lighting that cost $21,003.50.
A month later, the board approved Sign Art’s bid for the non-illuminated sign.
“We’re probably going to light the building somehow, anyway,” said Albrecht, alluding to alternative lighting options that would cover the entire building exterior.
He added, “We didn’t think there was a need to light just the sign.”
The board said sign upkeep and overall cost were other determining factors in their decision.
Sign Art offered two options to proceed with the non-illuminated signage. The school district could either pay a deposit for all costs of the project except labor fees to get the sign produced and stored by the district or by Sign Art until Wauzeka-Steuben’s wall cladding and siding projects were closer to completion, or the district could wait until the other building projects were further along to commission the sign.
If the district waited to pay the deposit, material costs for the sign’s production could change.
The deposit amount for the sign’s production and storage was approximately $6,000. Installation costs were approximately $1,800 of the $8,152 price tag for the sign.
Hird said the school district could become liable for damage to the sign if it was kept on the district’s property.
“I don’t want it sitting around and getting dents,” said Martin.
“Yes, storage is always a concern [where it could be] damaged,” Aselson added.
Albrecht did not know the timetable for the sign to be completed. He suggested the board order the sign and pay the deposit now to keep the district “in mind” to schedule the installation and lock-in the cost.
The board approved Sign Art’s bid for the non-illuminated sign’s production, with a cost not to exceed $8,152.70, and storage at Sign Art’s facility until installation was performed.
Other business
• Austin Bunders, athletics director, stated Seneca School District had approved the co-op contract for the middle school football team. Specifics, including cost burdens and schedule were expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
• approved a proposal for repair of exterior steps for $6,500. The original bid for $8,500 had decreased.
• a special board meeting was scheduled for April 9 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss preliminary budgets for the 2024–25 year.
