Highland delays bus purchase; reviews construction

By Ranee Fladung
Despite assurances it would significantly lower transportation costs and be a “wise move” the Highland Board of Education Monday voted against buying an 84 capacity activity bus. Those opposed wanted more information about cost savings, indicating they would reconsider the issue.
Russell Fox, the district’s transportation/maintenance director,explained that the higher capacity bus would not only eliminate the need for a second bus, but also have storage space for equipment, noting it is just a highway bus.
Superintendent Chris Armstrong said it was a “wise move” to have a travel bus “so we don’t have to send out two (school) buses or an additional equipment van.” He added, “We should get a lot of life out of it.”
Board member Bruce Temple asked which account would pay for it, and was told SILO which for the last six months has averaged $400,000. Board Secretary Bev Colbert explained that event with the funds used to pay construction costs, it continued to maintain itself.
Board member Ed Ossman said that “the idea was to use that money for the building, not a bus.” He added the district needed to pay off debt, that “in tough times maybe we should not spend money on this (bus).”
However, Fox told the board that the one bus eliminates having two drivers which, at certain times of the year, is difficult to get, that it would save about 10,000 miles a year (with a second bus), that it is an easier handling and more comfortable vehicle that would be used for activities and field trips, not regular routes. He added no buses will be retired.It also would lower the chance of breakdowns and reduce the number of vehicles out at an event. Nor would there be a significant increase in insurance cost and no different license would be required of a driver. Just some additional training, said Fox.
Ossman said, “I’d like to think about it a while and see it tabled so we can digest it.” Board member Becky Hanson wanted “more concrete information on savings.”
When it comes to the major construction and the middle/high school, “We are getting to where we should have been six to seven months ago,” said construction manager Tim Ruth.
He said the library is getting done and that there was considerable savings for the district with local contractors doing some of the work. He added that it appears to be on track to be done by mid-July.
There was a request for $28,062 in payment. Change orders, totaling $15,433.87 were approved, but a change order about the cable was tabled, pending clarification about what is covered.
There also are problems with leaks in the new meeting room and other areas. Ruth indicated he thinks two are from condensation form ed around the duct work. Asked when the wrestling room will be ready, Ruth said there are life safety items, that the school will install such as mats, grab bars and partitions (mostly up). Once done, the state building inspector will come in and then the district should be ready to put in the wrestling mats.
There was a lengthy discussion about the exhaust hood installation for the kitchen and the board was told that it is not a matter of removing one and just putting in another. There are differences in size and the fact that there is no exhaust fan in there now. Todd Spacek, Henneman Engineering provided a cost estimate of about $46,000 for the project for which $70,000 had been approved. District will purchase materials for $16,000 and get quotes for installation.
In other business, the board:

• approved the bid from Kay Chapman to do the school audit on a three year contract of $6,600 for fiscal year 2010, $6,800 (2011) and $7,000 (2012). Last fiscal year was $5,500. Changes in audit regulations account for the increase in fees. Colbert said Chapman “does a good job.” However, Temple was opposed, saying “I’d like to see it changed over. I know it’s not possible, but I am voting against it anyway.” and
• approved changing the healthcare carrier from Wellmark to United Healthcare River Valley. The rate will be a one percent decrease from the current one, as opposed to Wellmark which is raising rates 15 percent.