Centre to take bids on roofing project
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
After reviewing and making slight changes Monday to a draft of specifications, Centre board members accepted the draft and voted to take bids for roof replacement at Centre High School.
Base bids will be for re-roofing the original high school building. Alternative roofing bids must be submitted for the following: 1) gymnasium, 2) woods shop/vo-ag, and 3) concessions/weight room/garage.
A fourth alternate would reflect the reduction in the base bid price for each of the above alternates included in the contract.
The present shingles will be overlaid with metal shakes.
Bids will be taken until Feb. 4. The winning bid will be chosen and the contract awarded at the Feb. 10 board meeting.
The project is expected to begin May 29 and be completed by Aug. 1.
Prior to re-roofing, two other projects will be completed.
The board authorized Stroda Plumbing of Herington to provide underground drainage at the high school for a total cost of $1,900.
Rain water from the northwest roof of the original building drains onto the ground between the 1958 and 1993 buildings. During wet weather the water stands and will not run off.
Evancho noted that, in the past, damage to the 1993 building was sustained due to soil settling. This project will divert water away from the buildings to the parking lot, which drains well.
The board also approved replacement of the boiler stacks at the high school. D.M. Wilson and Son, Inc., Topeka, was the sole bidder. The company will provide labor and material at a cost of $1,300 plus up to $300 in travel allowance.
Senior class sponsor Yvonne Burhoop and two sophomores, Jill Fenske and Andrew Hajek, appeared before the board to request an extension of the 18-hour limit on senior class trips.
"Our goal has been big since our freshman year," Hajek said.
Burhoop said the class has been working hard to raise enough money to cover expenses for junior/senior prom and an extended senior class trip. They are considering a trip to the Florida Keys, the Virgin Islands, or a cruise.
Some board members were worried about liability and were reluctant to grant permission for students to travel outside of the country or so far away. They also were concerned with the nature of the trip.
It was noted that other groups have traveled as far as Lexington, Ky., and Washington, D.C.
Burhoop said she sets the agenda when she accompanies groups and she makes sure that educational and cultural experiences are included. "They will experience things they otherwise likely would not do."
After more discussion, the consensus was that the students should plan to stay in the country.
Action on the request was tabled until Burhoop can present more specific information to the board.
"You've got some good ideas. Come back with more details," said Clark Davis.
Cynthia Dunlap and Dale Tajchman appeared before the board to request that Dunlap's daughter, a freshman at Centre High School, be picked up at their house.
The couple lives inside the Marion school district, several hundred yards south of the district boundary at 250th and Remington. A Centre school bus picks up the student at the boundary.
Her parents feel it is an unsafe condition for the bus to drop the student off at the boundary line and then back out onto Remington Road to turn around.
They noted that a Marion school bus picks up students in the Centre school district. They were informed that is because those students are more than 10 miles away from Centre Elementary and are closer to Marion Elementary.
The couple was given a form to take to Marion USD requesting that Centre USD be allowed to pick up their daughter at their house. When they return the signed form to the school district, the board will make a final decision on the matter.
The board reviewed and revised a new policy proposed for expense reimbursement and credit cards. It would allow staff use of a district credit card under strict limits, regulations, and restrictions. Under the policy, the board will verify credit card limits and use on a monthly basis.
Action on the policy will be taken at the January meeting.
Evancho announced that transportation director Roy Houdyshell has withdrawn his resignation.
In other actions, the board:
— approved a Biddy Basketball program for students in grades 4-6, to be held six consecutive Saturdays beginning Jan. 11. Alan Stahlecker and Jesse Brunner will be co-head coaches and will receive $400 each for their services.
Parental permission forms are required prior to participation in the voluntary activity.
— adopted several revised and new policies regarding such things as personnel records, computer use, truancy, and release of student records.
— appointed Phyllis Burns, Enno Burhoop, and Kim Shields to another year or two on the CES site council and Dawn Luna to the junior and senior high school site council. New appointments to the CES council are Kelly Krch and John Vinduska.
— approved early graduation requests from J.D. Grissam and Roscoe Richmond. Both intend to pursue a career in welding after more technical training and certification.
— approved employment of Melia Vinduska as a short route bus driver at $9.50 per hour one hour per day retroactive to Dec. 2. Vinduska is a para-professional at both Centre school sites. She buses five or six students in the afternoon only to reduce the number of stops on the south Tampa bus route.
The board spent 20 minutes in executive session with Evancho and Clerk Peggy Falen to discuss negotiations.
