January 24, 2013

Gorin School Board Considers New Bus Purchase

The Gorin R-III Board of Education met in regular session on Wednesday, January 16th. President Tague called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with a quorum present. Tammi Dale and Alicia Berry were unable to attend.

Following the preliminaries and approval of the consent agenda items Mrs. Lora Alexander, Title I Instructor, addressed the Board. She requested the Board's consideration of her returning to a regular classroom position for the 2013-14 school years. The Board assured her they would consider her request.

Next, a representative of Midwest Transit Equipment presented multiple bus quotes to the board. He shared a demo bus prior to the meetings start and provided additional information during the meeting. Mrs. Townsend shared "the district is bidding buses to save money and provide quality transportation to our district. Our current buses have required multiple repairs and we are questioning their reliability. Our top priority is placing our students' in a safe bus, which is cost effective to the district."

The board did ask about leasing a bus, however with the number of miles the district covers per year found that would not be the most cost effective use of the district's money.

Mrs. Townsend shared with the representative "the board will be acting on a purchase in the very near future and would be contacting him by the middle of next week." She then shared with the Board "that she anticipated bids from the two final companies by Friday."

Under old business, the Board reviewed the gym/building rental fee. Mrs. Townsend proposed the following fees: kitchen /lunchroom usage - $350, all day/evening rental $100, prior day usage fee $25, dumpster fee $5, a cleaning deposit of $50 due in a separate check when the key is picked up and returned when the key is returned if the facilities are left as received, a $35 fee will be assessed for any returned check, and a utility fee may be negotiated based on hours of usage. Miller moved to accept the purposed fees and Peterson seconded. All voted yes.

The Board then received copies of the Administrator's Evaluation they will utilize at the February Board meeting.

In new business the board reviewed the current certificate of deposit rates. They tabled making a decision regarding the C.D. until after a decision is made regarding the bus purchase.

Mrs. Townsend informed the board the elementary basketball tournament is scheduled for the week of March 4th - 9th. She shared that Coach Garrett already has several teams committed.

The Board entered into executive session at 8:30 p.m. After listening to the current student and staff updates the Board adjourned from executive session at 8:56 p.m. and immediately following adjourned from regular session.

The February meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, the 19th, beginning at 6:30 p.m.