Decorah School Board delays vote on top architectural firms for new elementary; approves $1.4 million for new computer devices

By Roz Weis,

Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:51 pm

Decorah Community School District (DCSD) students will have access to new computer products in the near future at a cost of $1,451,507.50.

Decorah Community School District (DCSD) students will have access to new computer products in the near future at a cost of $1,451,507.50.DCSD board members unanimously approved the sole bid from Apple Inc., during Monday night’s two-hour monthly board meeting. The sole bid from Apple Inc. was approved for 1,195 13-inch MacBook Air devices and 690 10.2-inch iPad devices, including warranties.

The iPads will be used by students in prekindergarten through fourth grade. The new MacBook Air devices are to be used by students in grades 5-12.
Apple products were the only devices considered after recommendations from staff members from the schools.

Narrowing architectural firms
After lengthy debate, board members ultimately decided to take extra time to review preliminary proposals from six architectural firms considered for construction of a new elementary school.
Firms responding with proposals for the building project include Emergent, Invision, Neumann Monson, Atura, Ethos/ISG and SVPA.
Supt. Cronin said he had been in contact with school district administrators in the state who had utilized the firms and he was comfortable with their responses.
Narrowing the field of firms before the interview process commences was a lengthy topic of discussion Monday night, and board members ultimately decided to review all the proposals again and meet 7:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, to hear Supt. Cronin’s recommendations of the top three of four finalists.

New administrative position
Board members approved a recommendation from DCSD Superintendent Tim Cronin to replace the current Special Education Facilitator position with a new, full-time administrative Special Education Director position. This would mean adding another administrative position to the district. Cronin said the recommendation benefits the district with better continuity for the program, better oversight for the program and increased involvement with the Crossroads Academy alternative facility in Decorah.

Full story in the February 16 Decorah Public Opinion.