I have mentioned before the great work of our contract management team, Paula Wells and Tom Slobodnik. They have worked extensively to bring the price of this building project down to where we can afford it.
There is a price to pay for this lower cost.
We need volunteers to assist with some aspects of the building project. For those who helped prepare the LCC space in 2005, you can be assured that this will be less intense than that effort. When the heavy construction begins on the new space, we will be seeking volunteers to do sight clean up, picking up construction scrap and debris, sweeping floors, and other tasks. Jeff Bebee has agreed to help coordinate the volunteer efforts, and OCA families have likely seen Jeff's "Radical Renovation" newsletters over the past few weeks.
One upcoming job will be helping to install the computer and phone network in the building. Network cable and plugs have been requested from a donor, with promising results. (More on that when everything is final). We will need labor to lay the cable into the buildings, and later to connect the cables so that they are ready for computer and telephone connections. Cable could be installed in the elementary building pretty soon after the cable arrives.
An ongoing need is lawn care. There is a good lawn on most of the property, and it is growing nicely. It has been mowed once or twice already, but we need to establish a consistent pattern for mowing this yard. Please contact Jeff or the school office if you can help.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Poll Results
The poll question for the past week or so related to a service OCA is considering. This would be a voluntary electronic payment drafted from the bank account of your choice. Benefits to you are saving a stamp, (or remembering to write a check and send it with a child). Benefit to the school is more predictable cash flow, and automatic deposit into our bank account.
The poll question read "If OCA offered a voluntary automatic draft from your checking or savings account, would you choose to use the service?" There were 4 "yes," 3 "no," and 2 "depends on cost" answers.
We had looked at one company that provides this service, and they have a good product. However, they were not as flexible with allowing voluntary participation, and so we are looking into another option with our new banking partner, Security National Bank.
Thanks for answering the poll. I'll try to keep a question open most of the time!
Keith
The poll question read "If OCA offered a voluntary automatic draft from your checking or savings account, would you choose to use the service?" There were 4 "yes," 3 "no," and 2 "depends on cost" answers.
We had looked at one company that provides this service, and they have a good product. However, they were not as flexible with allowing voluntary participation, and so we are looking into another option with our new banking partner, Security National Bank.
Thanks for answering the poll. I'll try to keep a question open most of the time!
Keith
Monday, May 26, 2008
Top Ten Reasons
Why are we doing all of this? Without a property we could call home, OCA has needed to move several times over the past years. The board believes that this mobile nature has made attracting and retaining families difficult. So below are some reasons I think the new location and owning our own building is an important step in the life of OCA.
Delivered in the popular late show manner...
10. The whole school on one floor, no more stairs to the third floor!
9. Security. The new location is next to a police station.
8. Located next door to a pleasant residential neighborhood.
7. Room for our current students plus room to grow.
6. Room to add a gym in the future!
5. Only a few blocks from I-680.
4. OCA has first choice on use of rooms.
3. No more 60th street traffic!
2. People will be assured that we are not moving again
1. No more stairs to the third floor at LCC!
Delivered in the popular late show manner...
10. The whole school on one floor, no more stairs to the third floor!
9. Security. The new location is next to a police station.
8. Located next door to a pleasant residential neighborhood.
7. Room for our current students plus room to grow.
6. Room to add a gym in the future!
5. Only a few blocks from I-680.
4. OCA has first choice on use of rooms.
3. No more 60th street traffic!
2. People will be assured that we are not moving again
1. No more stairs to the third floor at LCC!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Graduation Day
Saturday May 24th, my older daughter graduated from OCA! This is a new experience for her mother and I. Graduation has been a big event at OCA for the four years we have been a part of the family. We are excited for the event, proud of our girl, and of course a little sad about the change in our home which is just around the corner.
The graduation was wonderful. The students were honored by the school, and the students honored their parents in return. We had over 120 people visit our home for an open house Saturday evening, and we'll be finishing leftovers for quite a while. A big thanks to several people who helped during the event, and cleaning up after.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Progress Report
Construction is happening at 10244 Wiesman Drive. The stud framing of the walls for the classrooms and administrative area are in place. Most of those walls have one side covered with the first of two layers of wall material.
The classroom walls will have two layers of material on each side to assist in sound control between classrooms. Some electrical work is also underway. Electrical boxes and conduit have been installed. Plumbing work is being done as well.
In your prayer time, please pray for safety of each person who is working at the building. I looked through the building Friday night, and it is so exciting to see this progress. Praise the Lord!
The classroom walls will have two layers of material on each side to assist in sound control between classrooms. Some electrical work is also underway. Electrical boxes and conduit have been installed. Plumbing work is being done as well.
In your prayer time, please pray for safety of each person who is working at the building. I looked through the building Friday night, and it is so exciting to see this progress. Praise the Lord!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Partners
I have mentioned earlier that this building project has been a matter of many hands. Multiple individuals within our current OCA family, our alumni, and in the community, along with many businesses have played a role in moving this project forward. We are building a list of just some of the key business partners who are lending their expertise to our school. Many at prices which are below market rates. I feel blessed to be in touch with many of these businesses.
One of our key business partners is Security National Bank. SNB is a locally owned and operated bank, and is our financing partner for the project. They have provided some creative ideas which will provide a lower than market interest rate for the long term financing of the building. Over the next short while we will be moving all of our banking relationships to SNB. They have expressed a desire to get to know the employees and families of our school. Of course they would like people to consider banking with SNB. Watch for SNB representatives at upcoming events at the new building.
SNB has some great technology tools and we will be exploring ways to utilize the technology in our school operations. One possibility includes making a voluntary electronic tuition service which would be available to parents.
We earnestly want to get the name OCA out into the community more, and aspect of that publicity is joining the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. We believe that there are a number of Chamber members who may be interested in either enrolling their children at OCA, or perhaps business relationships we can leverage for cost savings on goods and services.
The Lord's blessings to you!
Keith
One of our key business partners is Security National Bank. SNB is a locally owned and operated bank, and is our financing partner for the project. They have provided some creative ideas which will provide a lower than market interest rate for the long term financing of the building. Over the next short while we will be moving all of our banking relationships to SNB. They have expressed a desire to get to know the employees and families of our school. Of course they would like people to consider banking with SNB. Watch for SNB representatives at upcoming events at the new building.
SNB has some great technology tools and we will be exploring ways to utilize the technology in our school operations. One possibility includes making a voluntary electronic tuition service which would be available to parents.
We earnestly want to get the name OCA out into the community more, and aspect of that publicity is joining the Omaha Chamber of Commerce. We believe that there are a number of Chamber members who may be interested in either enrolling their children at OCA, or perhaps business relationships we can leverage for cost savings on goods and services.
The Lord's blessings to you!
Keith
Stay Tuned
Just a quick note to say thanks for reading the blog. This is new to me, and I realize that the concept of a blog is not new, maybe I a little behind the times. I am committed to keeping this alive during the coming months of construction. Watch for updates on the project soon.
I do want to note just a quick point about the fall schedule. Our construction team is eager to move on the new space, and we are getting everything ready for that to happen. Continue to watch for a ground breaking event, probably the first week of June.
Our best plan for the fall for several reasons is to open the school year, for Pre-K through 12th grade, in our current location, at Liberty Christian Center, 5612 L Street. We expect that the construction of the new space will not be finished until a little while after school starts. Mr. Thompson has built the school calendar so that we can take a fall break and do our move. Our current expectation is that the move will take place in October. As construction moves forward, we will know more about that schedule.
Please know that we are doing all we can to make this an excellent facility. The building will have about 36,000 square feet of space, which is equal or slightly more than we have now. That includes a cafeteria and assembly room and all the classrooms you expect at OCA, including Math, Bible, History, Art, Family consumer science, Spanish, Music, 2 English and 2 Science rooms, and a Library.
We will be asking for volunteer labor to help on this project. The office will be circulating information about volunteer projects beginning very soon.
More to come. Keep praying!
I do want to note just a quick point about the fall schedule. Our construction team is eager to move on the new space, and we are getting everything ready for that to happen. Continue to watch for a ground breaking event, probably the first week of June.
Our best plan for the fall for several reasons is to open the school year, for Pre-K through 12th grade, in our current location, at Liberty Christian Center, 5612 L Street. We expect that the construction of the new space will not be finished until a little while after school starts. Mr. Thompson has built the school calendar so that we can take a fall break and do our move. Our current expectation is that the move will take place in October. As construction moves forward, we will know more about that schedule.
Please know that we are doing all we can to make this an excellent facility. The building will have about 36,000 square feet of space, which is equal or slightly more than we have now. That includes a cafeteria and assembly room and all the classrooms you expect at OCA, including Math, Bible, History, Art, Family consumer science, Spanish, Music, 2 English and 2 Science rooms, and a Library.
We will be asking for volunteer labor to help on this project. The office will be circulating information about volunteer projects beginning very soon.
More to come. Keep praying!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Great News from City Hall!
This picture was provided by our construction team. It is a rendering of what our building will look like when it is finished. The view is from Wiesman drive, near the South East corner of our property.
To the far left is the existing building which will be the elementary building. The gray building on the far right is the high school building. The reddish tone in the middle is the cafeteria and assembly room.
The assembly room is about 3,600 square feet, which should be seating room for about 300 people. The main entrance is between the elementary and the cafeteria. The parking lot is west of the visible area, and a sidewalk will connect the lot to this main entrance.
Thanks to Tom Slobodnik and his son Jake for providing these renderings. Tom is our General contractor, and Jake is finishing his college degree in Architecture. Jake will also be building a three dimensional model of the project. When it is available, I will post pictures, and the model will be available to see.
A lot has happened this week. More visible signs of work that has been underway for a number of weeks. Let me summarize some key events from Wednesday.
The city planning board met and approved a use permit which allows for both elementary and high school use on this property. This was a necessary piece of compliance with city building codes, and now it is finished. Until the use permit was in hand, our building permit for renovation of the elementary space could not be approved. Now, the building permit is approved, and renovation work can begin in earnest.
Finally, Paula Wells had a great meeting with the city works department. They will need to approve our engineering work for the shell permit. The meeting went very well, and Paula is optimistic of getting the approval through the city process quickly. With Paula's input, we are still optimistic of breaking ground in the first week of June. Please pray with us that the permit can be granted quickly.
We are continuing to work on the financing for the building, and at our next board meeting Tuesday May 13 we expect to review and approve a loan proposal. Please continue to pray for this entire process.
These are key times for OCA. The Lord has provided financially, and has provided partners to help us in the process. Without the Lord's people, we would not own this property, and we would not be building for the fall of 2008.
Take a moment today to praise the Lord for his provision to OCA!
Keith
To the far left is the existing building which will be the elementary building. The gray building on the far right is the high school building. The reddish tone in the middle is the cafeteria and assembly room.
The assembly room is about 3,600 square feet, which should be seating room for about 300 people. The main entrance is between the elementary and the cafeteria. The parking lot is west of the visible area, and a sidewalk will connect the lot to this main entrance.
Thanks to Tom Slobodnik and his son Jake for providing these renderings. Tom is our General contractor, and Jake is finishing his college degree in Architecture. Jake will also be building a three dimensional model of the project. When it is available, I will post pictures, and the model will be available to see.
A lot has happened this week. More visible signs of work that has been underway for a number of weeks. Let me summarize some key events from Wednesday.
The city planning board met and approved a use permit which allows for both elementary and high school use on this property. This was a necessary piece of compliance with city building codes, and now it is finished. Until the use permit was in hand, our building permit for renovation of the elementary space could not be approved. Now, the building permit is approved, and renovation work can begin in earnest.
Finally, Paula Wells had a great meeting with the city works department. They will need to approve our engineering work for the shell permit. The meeting went very well, and Paula is optimistic of getting the approval through the city process quickly. With Paula's input, we are still optimistic of breaking ground in the first week of June. Please pray with us that the permit can be granted quickly.
We are continuing to work on the financing for the building, and at our next board meeting Tuesday May 13 we expect to review and approve a loan proposal. Please continue to pray for this entire process.
These are key times for OCA. The Lord has provided financially, and has provided partners to help us in the process. Without the Lord's people, we would not own this property, and we would not be building for the fall of 2008.
Take a moment today to praise the Lord for his provision to OCA!
Keith
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
On a Different Note
No special building project news today. Things are happening, but these need to be kept to myself for now. Instead, let me tell you about last night.
Each year one of my favorite events at OCA is the spring music concert and performing arts recognition night. That event was held last night, and as in previous years it was a great night. After opening performances by soloists and small groups, the band opened the evening, performing several selections. The band is in fine form this year, and was really a delight. Mrs. Cloyd received a plaque recognizing the 1+ rating received at the contest earlier this year, noting the same in 2001, and with room for more 1+ ratings to come.
The drama department recognized achievements of the year, and provided a short demo of their upcoming melodrama.
Next the vocal ensemble sang two songs, and received recognition for their efforts. Including learning of and receiving a first place trophy they earned on a cold Saturday at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City earlier this spring.
The choir closed the evening singing several selections. Mr. Larry Nilius, choir director and head of the music department was presented with a plaque recognizing 12 straight years of 1+ ratings at district music. It has become tradition to close this concert with a song titled 'Benediction'. That song always gets me, "God be with you 'til we meet again...at Jesus feet". This song tells of the hope we have in Christ.
Whenever a group of 200-300 people are gathered together, it is highly unlikely that the exact group will ever meet again here. People move away, get busy, or even die in a short time. Last night I thought of at least one person absent due to death since last year, and I thought of a co-worker, just 29, who died in his home just a week ago. Life is short, man's sinful condition makes it difficult, and death is all around, the penalty of sin. Yet, we rejoice in knowing that we will see our brothers and sisters in Christ again. We do not grieve as those who have no hope, (1 Thes. 4:13). Praise the Lord!
There were about 300 chairs set up in the auditorium, plus room for the groups to perform. The planned cafeteria space at our new facility should facilitate a crowd about that size. Lord willing next year's sprint concert will be in that new space. We did have some wonderful computer generated renderings of what our new space will look like from the outside. I am working on getting those in a format to put on the blog. I also hope to have some exciting news about building permits, and maybe some early photos of progress in a couple of days. Check back again soon!
Be sure to answer my poll question at the upper right, and feel free to leave a comment or question by clicking on the comment link below.
Keith
Each year one of my favorite events at OCA is the spring music concert and performing arts recognition night. That event was held last night, and as in previous years it was a great night. After opening performances by soloists and small groups, the band opened the evening, performing several selections. The band is in fine form this year, and was really a delight. Mrs. Cloyd received a plaque recognizing the 1+ rating received at the contest earlier this year, noting the same in 2001, and with room for more 1+ ratings to come.
The drama department recognized achievements of the year, and provided a short demo of their upcoming melodrama.
Next the vocal ensemble sang two songs, and received recognition for their efforts. Including learning of and receiving a first place trophy they earned on a cold Saturday at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City earlier this spring.
The choir closed the evening singing several selections. Mr. Larry Nilius, choir director and head of the music department was presented with a plaque recognizing 12 straight years of 1+ ratings at district music. It has become tradition to close this concert with a song titled 'Benediction'. That song always gets me, "God be with you 'til we meet again...at Jesus feet". This song tells of the hope we have in Christ.
Whenever a group of 200-300 people are gathered together, it is highly unlikely that the exact group will ever meet again here. People move away, get busy, or even die in a short time. Last night I thought of at least one person absent due to death since last year, and I thought of a co-worker, just 29, who died in his home just a week ago. Life is short, man's sinful condition makes it difficult, and death is all around, the penalty of sin. Yet, we rejoice in knowing that we will see our brothers and sisters in Christ again. We do not grieve as those who have no hope, (1 Thes. 4:13). Praise the Lord!
There were about 300 chairs set up in the auditorium, plus room for the groups to perform. The planned cafeteria space at our new facility should facilitate a crowd about that size. Lord willing next year's sprint concert will be in that new space. We did have some wonderful computer generated renderings of what our new space will look like from the outside. I am working on getting those in a format to put on the blog. I also hope to have some exciting news about building permits, and maybe some early photos of progress in a couple of days. Check back again soon!
Be sure to answer my poll question at the upper right, and feel free to leave a comment or question by clicking on the comment link below.
Keith
Friday, May 2, 2008
Good News
We had a successful day with our building permits. With the work of our project manager Paula Wells, and our attorney Camille Hawk, we were able to demonstrate that we qualified for the exemption. We were about to pay about $2,800 for the application we filed today, but we were able to file the application with no fees, and we believe that we will be able to recover the fees we have paid already. Well done Paula and Camille!
The permit we applied for today is an exciting step. This application is for a shell permit for the new space we plan to build for the high school. The shell includes the structural steel and concrete work which is the skeleton for that new space, and forms the high school hallway, which will be the storm shelter for the school.
We are planning to have a ground breaking event at the new location. Watch the OCA web site and this blog for more information. The date is still to be determined, but we think that it could be about June first.
I don't know how often I have said this, but this really is an exciting time in OCA history. Keep praying, and give thanks to Him.
Keith
The permit we applied for today is an exciting step. This application is for a shell permit for the new space we plan to build for the high school. The shell includes the structural steel and concrete work which is the skeleton for that new space, and forms the high school hallway, which will be the storm shelter for the school.
We are planning to have a ground breaking event at the new location. Watch the OCA web site and this blog for more information. The date is still to be determined, but we think that it could be about June first.
I don't know how often I have said this, but this really is an exciting time in OCA history. Keep praying, and give thanks to Him.
Keith
Thursday, May 1, 2008
City Hall
I think everyone has heard the saying "You can't fight city hall". I don't really think this saying is true, and I hope not. I like to think that many public servants at city hall want to do their best to help the citizens they serve. I know that I enjoy doing my job well, and serving my customers, and I am sure people at city hall do that too.
Today we learned from city hall that there is some good news, and some bad news. The good news is that we should qualify for an exemption from paying fees for our building permits. The bad news is that it may take a while to get that exemption properly recorded in all of the right computer systems at the city and county governments. Until that happens, we may have to pay for permits, or slow down our progress. Neither of these options is ideal. Our attorney is working with city hall to find a solution.
You might join me in praying for a quick easy solution to this, and pray to that some fees we have already paid might be refunded to us. Pray that all the building permits we need will be granted quickly and soon so that we can move forward quickly. Please also continue to pray for the donations for this project. More funds raised now will mean less debt to service and repay in the future. Less debt will mean lower operating costs.
O.C.A. has not always been very proactive in raising money. The current board believes that it is important for us to become an active fund raising organization. The Lord has blessed these efforts as evidenced by the building project money pledged and donated in these past two years. That money is carefully accounted for and separated from the operating budget. (This would be a nice place to point out that you can donate to our project through our web site.)
We are also working to raise money for our general operating fund. Last week was our second annual "walk-a-thon". Students would walk for a while and sent out a mailing to family and friends asking for contributions to support our school in response to their walk. Along with the walk was a festival, and a lunch was provided for all the students and families who helped. The event was a great time of fellowship for all of those who attended. That day you could find me behind the grill. We grilled about 400 hamburgers and hot dogs. Thank you to Community Bible Church here in Omaha for lending us the big grill, it worked great!
In Him,
Keith Strasser
Today we learned from city hall that there is some good news, and some bad news. The good news is that we should qualify for an exemption from paying fees for our building permits. The bad news is that it may take a while to get that exemption properly recorded in all of the right computer systems at the city and county governments. Until that happens, we may have to pay for permits, or slow down our progress. Neither of these options is ideal. Our attorney is working with city hall to find a solution.
You might join me in praying for a quick easy solution to this, and pray to that some fees we have already paid might be refunded to us. Pray that all the building permits we need will be granted quickly and soon so that we can move forward quickly. Please also continue to pray for the donations for this project. More funds raised now will mean less debt to service and repay in the future. Less debt will mean lower operating costs.
O.C.A. has not always been very proactive in raising money. The current board believes that it is important for us to become an active fund raising organization. The Lord has blessed these efforts as evidenced by the building project money pledged and donated in these past two years. That money is carefully accounted for and separated from the operating budget. (This would be a nice place to point out that you can donate to our project through our web site.)
We are also working to raise money for our general operating fund. Last week was our second annual "walk-a-thon". Students would walk for a while and sent out a mailing to family and friends asking for contributions to support our school in response to their walk. Along with the walk was a festival, and a lunch was provided for all the students and families who helped. The event was a great time of fellowship for all of those who attended. That day you could find me behind the grill. We grilled about 400 hamburgers and hot dogs. Thank you to Community Bible Church here in Omaha for lending us the big grill, it worked great!
In Him,
Keith Strasser
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