The BASD Facilities Committee is in high gear preparing for the precision demolition and reconstruction of Fountain Hill ES. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fountain Hill ES is scheduled for May 22 at 4 p.m. Students will vacate the existing building June 2, and site work begins June 9.

Demolition of the current school will begin by the end of the summer.

The board discussed the rental use of school facilities by outside community organizations when school is not in session; 147 such groups are known to have used a school building for meetings, conferences, speakers and sporting events. The rental fee for facilities has not changed in 15 years – Chief Facilities Officer Mark Stein said updating current costs and rental needs should reflect the labor rate of custodians and site managers that are necessary to accommodate these events. Discussion focused on the complexities of this policy as it relates to costs for nonprofits versus profits and organizations that benefit the students.

The Curriculum Committee continued last month’s discussion on electronic devices and policy #237, not updated since its introduction in 2004. This was originally a cellphone policy and has morphed into an all-inclusive electronic device policy. This was the first reading of the revised policy, including additions and recommendations by the districts solicitor.

This policy will be effective across all schools and the board favored specifically addressing the actual intent of the policy – restrictions on electronics in classes is generally accepted, with clear defined rules for use. No one appeared to favor a ban, citing parental concerns regarding safety issues. More revisions are expected before a final vote.