School Board approves Wyatt Kuiken as next Facility Director

South Bend School District Facility Update

New Facility Director

New facility director Wyatt Kuiken

At their regular April meeting, the board of directors approved the hiring of Wyatt Kuiken as the next facility director.  Wyatt will take over for retiring Gary Wilson, who has worked for the district for the last 34 years.  Wyatt is currently the district transportation supervisor and mechanic.  Though

Wyatt will maintain his role as transportation supervisor, the district is currently evaluating options for school bus mechanic services and will be transitioning those duties in the coming months.

Elementary School Construction 

On Friday, May 3, the district signed a contract with Rognlin's Inc. to construct the new elementary school.  Piling are tentatively scheduled to be delivered the week of May 27.  Contractors may be mobilizing prior to this date to install fencing, survey the construction site, and construct the building pad.  District staff will be removing our greenhouses and pay equipment in the next week.  The existing playshed and hard surface playground will be securely fenced off from the construction area.

Track Resurfacing

The district will be resurfacing our rubber track this July.  Though the track had some repair resurfacing in 2008, the rubber has not been removed to bare asphalt and resurfaced since the track was installed in 1995.  The project will take approximately 4 weeks.  Both the track and the football field will be closed during this time. 

Preschool HVAC system

This week, Capital Heating completed the installation of a new HVAC system in our preschool and early learning center.  The district received a $178,000 competitive grant earlier this school year that paid 100% of the costs of the project.  The new system includes all new heating units and air conditioning, as well as new controllers.

Playshed Conversion

Concept of playshed gym conversion project. CMGreen Design

Last week, the district submitted building plans to the City of South Bend for the elementary playshed gym project.  We received a $200,000 competitive grant to fund the project.  Work will begin this summer and will include enclosing the current structure, insulation, new lighting, the addition of heating and cooling, new backboards and baskets, and the installation of a multi use playing surface.  The building will be adjacent to the new elementary school.

Questions about these projects can be directed to superintendent Jon Tienhaara at:

jtienhaa@southbendschools.org