Madison Elementary School’s first floor will be reconfigured

DIXON – Madison Elementary School’s first floor will be reconfigured and security measures will be added to the Division Street vestibule doors as part of a renovation project planned for this summer.

Kevin Schultz, director of building and grounds, gave an overview of the project to the Dixon Public Schools’ board of education at its regular meeting on Jan. 19.

Schultz provided the board with an architectural plan showing where an art classroom will be turned into two offices.

Board member Brandon Rogers noted under the current configuration, office workers have to share a space.

Schultz also provided some digitally doctored photos showing, conceptually, where new signs would be placed at the Division Street entrance. The purpose of the new signs – both above the entrances and on floor mats inside the vestibule – would direct visitors to the left if they are visiting Madison Elementary, to the right if they are visiting Reagan Middle School.

The two schools share the same campus.

The renovated entrance will include a call box for use by visitors and a security camera and entrance buzzer that will be controlled by office personnel.

Dixon Glass Co. has been contracted for the project.

The project carries an $80,000 price tag, though Schultz said additional costs are to be expected. In a nod to inflation, “prices are increasing,” he said.

Schultz said much of the actual construction will be completed by the district’s existing maintenance team at considerable savings when compared to third-party labor costs.

All of it will be paid with Lee County Facilities Sales Tax proceeds. The entire project falls under the long-range plan the district had committed to earlier.

One aspect of the configuration was the move of the art room to an area by the cafeteria and the designation of a special education classroom upstairs.

Board member Melissa Gates asked Superintendent Margo Empen whether younger special education students would be placed on the Reagan side of the campus.

“I’m not comfortable with our most vulnerable being (at Reagan),” Gates said.

Empen said she would check on that request.

In an email on Wednesday, Gates said the Madison plans were discussed during a special education committee meeting and that she hopes to have that information soon.