CWA Group addresses board on safe rooms

The Morris Public School board gave the green light to a project that will improve the lighting at two athletic fields in the district.

Much of the discussion before the decision was made included presentations from the CWA Group, who works with FEMA for school safety improvement grants, and Musco Lighting, who has been tasked with fulfilling the lighting needs.

To begin the meeting, incoming superintendent Becky Alexander, along with current leader Dr. Chris Karch, was joined by CWA Group CEO Clarence Williams and guest.

CWA Group is a commercial architecture, planning, and design firm based in Norman, that serves K-12 school districts, colleges, career technology centers, municipalities, counties, and religious facilities in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

Williams shared information with the board and administrators about what grants and programs are available to obtain additional safe rooms for the district and community.

With the recent tornado that struck Morris, and the oncoming recovery process, Williams presented a list of school districts and their respective projects, emphasizing those designed to meet specific standards, with some having several safe rooms. He highlighted projects marked with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funding.

Delving into the details of the FEMA funding process, Williams explained the intricacies of applying for a FEMA grant, which typically spans about two years but can extend longer. He reassured the board that while the process is lengthy and detailed, it is ultimately beneficial. Once the application is approved, FEMA covers 75 percent of the project cost, a substantial financial relief for districts.

One of the main highlights was the construction of safe rooms, which are essentially concrete boxes designed to blend seamlessly with the rest of the building. These rooms are critical for ensuring the safety of students and staff during emergencies.

Williams mentioned that despite their robust construction, these rooms are designed to be inconspicuous, identifiable mainly by specific doors that only a few might recognize.

Williams shared success stories from various schools that have successfully navigated the FEMA grant process. He mentioned schools that have repeatedly applied for and received funding, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of the process. He pointed out the efficiency gains once a school completes its first FEMA-funded project, which makes subsequent applications smoother and faster.

A key point in Mr. Williams’s presentation was the community impact of these projects. He explained that a safe room can serve not only the school population, but also the surrounding community. He shared diagrams that would benefit residents within a half-mile radius, enhancing overall safety and preparedness.

Board President Kendall Warren inquired about the possibility of having another safe room/shelter built on an additional piece of district-owned property, which Williams added that is definitely a possibility, and showed how many more residents would be able to use the facilities if needed.

Williams reiterated the importance of pursuing FEMA grants for school safety projects. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, but remained optimistic about the potential improvements in safety and infrastructure. His detailed insights into the application process and the benefits of FEMA funding provided valuable information for the board, aligning with the district’s mission to create a secure and conducive learning environment.

The Morris School Board expressed gratitude for Mr. Williams’s informative presentation and looked forward to further discussions on implementing these crucial safety measures in their schools.

The second discussion item has been in the works for quite some time, but again, with damage during the recent tornado, some needed upgrades are coming at the right time.

The importance of proper lighting for sports fields was discussed, with a focus on adequate illumination without glare or discomfort.

Rico Velazquez, representing Musco Lighting, shared what the company has to offer, along with a video demonstration and what the fixtures would look like.

Musco Lighting, often referred to as Musco, is a privately-held company that specializes designs and manufactures sports lighting, transportation and infrastructure lighting, automated sports broadcasting, and modular sports venue products. It is based in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

For 40 years, Musco has focused on the design and manufacture of sports and transportation/infrastructure lighting systems. Musco offers permanent and temporary lighting systems for new and retrofit projects.

“We are proud to be an American manufacturer, with all our products made in the USA,” Velasquez, who resides in Yukon, said. “This commitment ensures high-quality standards and allows us to maintain control over the entire production process.

“Our primary goal is to provide the right light levels for each application. We measure light intensity using a unit called FootCandles, which indicates how much light is on the field of play. For example, for Morris, the optimal light level may be 30 FootCandles for football, which ensures proper illumination without excess fixtures.”

When discussing lighting, Velazquez expounded on a few key terms:

• FootCandles: Measurement of light intensity on the field.

• Uniformity: Ensuring even and smooth light distribution across the field, avoiding hotspots and dark spots.

• Spill Light: Light that escapes beyond the intended area, such as into parking lots or neighborhoods. We aim to minimize this to ensure efficient lighting.

• Glare: The discomfort caused by seeing the light source directly. We use advanced technology to control glare, making the light comfortable for players and spectators.

— Lighting Upgrade Details

Musco’s lighting system is composed of five main components, all warrantied and produced by Precast Concrete Pier: This foundational element arrives precast and is installed with concrete backfill, ensuring stability and durability.

• Electrical Components: Our components are housed in a box 10 feet above grade, making maintenance accessible via a ladder instead of a lift.

• LED Fixtures: Our LED lights are designed to minimize spill and glare while providing powerful, controlled illumination.

“We’ve successfully implemented this system in various fields, including a recent project in Oklahoma where we installed a fifth pole in the batter’s eye of a softball field. This is typically avoided due to glare issues, but our advanced technology allowed for this exception.”

The total cost for upgrading the football and baseball field lights, including new poles and underground wiring, is approximately $377,000. However, with possible rebates of about $103,000 from PSO, along insurance money, that cost will drop to about $200,000.

Board member Mark Mabrey has done considerable research into getting the project completed and shared a couple of proposals with members of the board.

Timing is critical, especially for the football season. According to Velazquez, It takes 8 to 10 weeks to receive the materials, so decisions need to be made promptly to ensure timely installation.

“We are prepared to adjust our schedule to meet Morris Public Schools’ needs,” he added.

Following additional discussion, the board decided to move forward with the project which will bring four poles to the football field, and two on the baseball field. This will be funded through a lease-purchase agreement for five years through Mabrey Bank.

Athletes, spectators and visitors will have the opportunity to have amazing experience as the projects are brought to completion.

— Editor’s Note: See Friday’s edition for more information about the regular agenda items.