District 63 readies for flooding, parking lot projects at schools

East Maine School District 63 is currently planning and will begin capital improvement projects this summer after its plans were approved at an April 3 district business meeting. 

The board approved transferring $357,200 from its operations and maintenance fund into its capital projects fund to pay for projects. The money will cover the mobilization for the Gemini Junior High School flood remediation project, a new roof at Gemini and a parking lot project at Mark Twain School. 

The total cost of the projects is estimated at more than $3 million and will come out of next year's budget, according to David Bein, executive director of business services for the Des Plaines-based district. Construction is to begin shortly after school ends for the summer on June 6 and is anticipated to finish before classes resume in the fall. 

In addition to the flooding project, Gemini will receive a new roof this summer. Bein said that while several schools need new roofs, they decided to address Gemini's need while the school was being disrupted with the flooding project. 

Also approved at the meeting was the summary of a Feb. 21 first responders meeting in which several safety recommendations were made. Among the recommendations is making the exits at Glenview's Washington Elementary School compliant with Glenview Fire Department guidelines. According to Clay,Online shopping for solarpanelcells. the guidelines call for marking the exits with numbers and color codes and "will not cost much." 

A larger security project, also underway, is the installation of a visitor management software systemknown as a Raptor systemin all eight district buildings (including seven schools) that checks the backgrounds of every person entering a facility to ensure that no sex offenders enter.Elpas Readers detect and forward 'Location' and 'State' data from Elpas Active RFID Tags to host besticcard platforms. The cost of the system is estimated at $16,000, Clay said. 

In addition, the district will update its entryway cameras at Stevenson and Apollo elementary schools with large, full-color monitors. Looking ahead, the district will continue to educate staff, perform security drills and look at enhancing its school sprinkler systems, Clay said. 

Turkeys in these parts are now working on their PhDs. I have yet to talk to anyone that will say they have killed a turkey. I'm still on the hunt. And I reckon by the time we read another Sunday News-Star, summer will be back upon us. It's just a thousand wonders we ain't all sick as a dog. Just continue hunting safely. Please don't shoot another hunter for a turkey. 

I want to remind everyone of this fall. Don't let an out-of-state hunt haunt you. The very first thing might near everyone must have is a hunter safety card. This is generally a cost-free, lifetime occurrence. No matter what most of our ages are, you will be required to show a hunter safety card before a license will be issued. Try to make one of the upcoming courses that might occur locally. 

Most of the Western States have had their draw license deadline. What will occur next is an excess or leftover licenses that failed to meet quotas. One really needs to be computer smart to access the various states and their game species we might want to pursue. In some cases, a particular license might be discounted. Many of us already have 95 percent of the camping gear required to travel to a different place, see some simply marvelous scenery, camp with buddies and try our hand at something new. 

Many of the western states are very accessible in that much of the hunting lands are public. National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands contain all types of game. Hunter safety card, license, a hunting buddy or two and the hunt of a lifetime can be had with memories to last a lifetime. 

Food Plots: First requiring immediate attention is sunflowers. Dove season will be here before we realize it. Bear in mind that your sunflowers should be mature in August. With this in mind, pay close attention to the maturity date, 90 days, 110 days and so forth. One will probably find the small seed type sunflower better for birds. Your choice of feed and seed store should have someone knowledgeable enough to help you out with varieties. 

Sunflowers planted in or on rows do fine and without a planter, "slung" out broadcast fashion will get the job done. A little herbicide "over-the-top" will help keep the ground clean.The 3rd International Conference on custombobbleheads and Indoor Navigation. If you have the time, a "hit" of commercial fertilizer will just about guarantee a bird hunt. Try to locate your food plot near a shade tree and water. The shade tree will pay big dividends for you and perhaps a youngun on their first hunt. 

Don't forget your deer lease. Now is the time to put out and keep out your mineral blocks. Whether "freshening up" an existing salt lick or starting one, do it and stay with it. If you have been turkey hunting or just in the woods, you probably know what your deer are doing and where they are traveling. Everything that happens now will determine what our deer will do this fall. Keep in mind that the female deer are carrying their fawns. 

Food plots are dying down, perhaps due to winter-type green foliage (wheat, oats, rye). Don't forget your salt or mineral blocks or other supplements. It will probably be another long, hot summer, so if you have a pretty tight treehouse, making sure the door and windows are shut might keep out wasps and bees.The need for proper bestsmartcard inside your home is very important. 

People fishing: Tell someone where you intend to fish. Someone knowing where you are will speed up your rescue should you not make it home. A general rule of thumb for recreational fishing is, a current fishing license and boat registration, a properly filled fire extinguisher and a life jacket that will fit you will keep you out of the paper. A cellular phone will put a little insurance on any outdoor trip.The need for proper bestsmartcard inside your home is very important. Be courteous on the water. One can be charged with careless and reckless operation or DWI while operating a boat. 

Again, be reminded that the National Rifle Association's annual business meeting will be held in Houston, Texas, in May. Less than a month away, it's time to start acquiring lodging, tickets and making plans. I'm tellin' you, you will never in all your life be around a better group of people. You will also get to see all the newest gear, gadgets and firearms on display by the various manufacturers. You will not, however, get to buy anything at the show but maybe a guided hunt to somewhere off. It's about like being a "blind dog in a meat house."