Construction Begins To Add Exit To Neligh-Oakdale Basement

Construction has begun at Neligh-Oakdale to install a walk-out door from the art room, which would allow student occupancy in the classroom this fall.

Don Zegers Contracting was hired by the district in March to install the door. Due to orders from the Nebraska State Fire Marshal's office, students were not allowed in the basement classrooms for a majority of the last school year. 

Basement occupancy has been an item of contention between board members for many months. Approval of the walk-out door came during the March board meeting after three other motions involving basement construction failed to pass. The first three motions included installing egress windows in various rooms of the basement.

Finally, Krista Schindler made a motion to hire Zegers to install only the walk-out door only in the art room. That motion carried 4-2. Dissenting votes were cast by Brad Higgins, who voted against all four motions, and Kenny Reinke. 

Installing the walkout door provides a second means of egress for the classroom to meet requirements by the state fire marshal's office for occupancy in that room.