USD 410 Board of Education voted at its Nov. 12 regular meeting to move forward in soliciting bid options to replace heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment for Hillsboro High School and Hillsboro Middle School gymnasiums.
Prior to the vote, the board had discussed two options?either to purchase equipment as it fails or to replace all HVAC equipment, the choice endorsed by Superintendent Steve Noble.
?It won?t be any cheaper than it is today,? Noble said about current low interest rates. ?We?re going to have to do something.?
He said the district is spending $30,000 on maintenance now.
The estimated cost for the projects, which would include adding air-conditioning for the high school gym for the first time, is $900,000, according to Noble and business manager Jerry Hinerman, with annual payments of $75,000 over 15 years, a 10-year warranty on all parts and five years of service for breakdowns.
Over the past months, experts from Energy Service Group, Trane, and EPM Controls have made recommendations to the board. Tom Storrer of Don?s Heating and Air, who has serviced the district?s equipment over the years, returned to last week?s meeting to present his replacement plan.
Noble told board members they could decide how to proceed with the project once bids?one for gyms only and one for everything?have been submitted.
During the Learners Showcase of the meeting, Noble pointed to artwork by students of Dustin Dalke and Rita Loewen in the conference room of the district office.
Displays will be updated monthly, he said, adding the public is invited to stop by to see the artwork.
Sarah Buehrle of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, LLC, reviewed the district?s financial audit for 2012 fiscal year.
No violations were found and the firm made several recommendations.
?It?s very clean,? Buehrle said of the audit,??and we get in and out very quickly.”
Ashlee Gann, director of Families and Communities Together, reported to the board of its initiatives, services and projects in Marion County, including Coordinated Early Childhood Health Initiative, Financial Assistance, Resource & Referral, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and a new program, Marion County Circles Initiative, an anti-poverty group that will conduct leadership training beginning in January.
More than 80 families in Marion County have received help through the Family Financial Assistance program, Gann said.
Among those contributing to FACT are USD 410 employees, who have designated donations of more than $4,104 by deciding to deduct a monthly amount from their paycheck.
Other business
In other business, the board:
? approved 4-2 an out-of-state travel request from Sandy Arnold for a vehicle and fuel and her registration cost to the National Volleyball Coaches Association conference in Louisville, Ky., scheduled for Dec. 14-16.
Students Danae Bina and Tena Loewen have been invited to attend a skills camp associated with the conference.
?I probably wouldn?t request this if the girls hadn?t chosen to attend,? Arnold said, adding that the girls? parents are planning to go as well.
Before the vote, board member Joe Sechrist raised the question of consistency as the board did not authorize to pay for fuel for other trips.
? approved 6-0 an updated technology plan presented by USD 410 technology director Brad Just. The plan will be submitted to the state for approval.
? heard a review of past district?s goals and revised ones, which include meeting educational needs of all students, increasing parent/community collaboration, maintaining quality facilities and keeping up with technology.
? appointed Chad Nowak as USD 410?s delegate to the Kansas Association of School Boards conference Nov. 30 and Dec. 1-2. Noble told the board the conference will focus on college and career readiness for Kansas students.
Noble also reported what he and other superintendents are doing in regard to the state?s emphasis on students? preparedness for college and future employability.
?This is a fairly significant document,? Noble said. It defines what is meant by college and career readiness and will inform teaching outcomes and assessment.
? approved the following after meeting in executive session for 45 minutes for personnel: the resignations of Donna Dalke as part-time secretary, Tim Isaac as district maintenance and bus driver and Marcia Findeiss as ESOL aide; a contract for Erin Carr as assistant coach for Hillsboro Middle School girls? basketball; and schedule adjustments for Amanda Marler as special route driver of OASIS and Carolyn Brazil as secretary.
? met in executive session to discuss matters of negotiation.
Board member Deb Geis was absent from the Nov. 12 meeting.
