FALLS CITY – BVH Architecture is in the early stages of its master planning work for Falls City Public Schools, but is already telling the school board that the high school’s career academy space needs to be modernized.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively’s report says the facilities are described as “outdated and inadequate.”

The school had pursued bringing its construction academy to the Southeast Community College’s Falls City Learning Center, where welding and nursing instruction are held. Heckenlively said major renovations would have been needed, however, to hold welding and woods classes in the same area.

Falls City has been using its own facilities for the construction academy.

Heckenlively: “We’ve been making do, but we don’t have the space to be as effective as we certainly could be on the construction side.”

He said the BVH Architecture study, enrollment and future trends for technical education will help the district make decisions about possibly building an addition for the construction academy or establishing a satellite space.

The district is also looking into the configuration of class grade levels in each building. Heckenlively said decisions on the construction academy are linked to the 18 to 24-month timeline on the reconfiguration study.

Cleve Reeves of BVH Architecture told the school board that the next master planning steps include considering specialized career and technical education spaces.

The school board also approved key changes for preschool enrollment.

The school board adopted a policy in alignment with legislative changes under LB 71, which was signed by Gov. Jim Pillen in April.

Children may qualify for the preschool program if they are three years old before July 31 or four years old at the start of enrollment and do not turn six before Jan. 1 of the enrollment year.

Parent-initiated applications will be reviewed based on available space, eligibility and other factors determined by district staff.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively said the policy reflects the district’s commitment to providing quality early childhood education.

In other business, Heckenlively reports that state aid to Falls City is certified at $45,781 less than the prior year. The state aid of $1.4 million is based on the state’s formula for need and a 10 percent change in property valuation.

The school’s facility improvements scheduled this summer includes construction of new restrooms at the stadium and installation of additional security cameras across the district. New flooring is planned for selected classrooms.