by Mary Loden
The Clear Lake Community School Board approved the spending of $169,142 for majors purchase at their July 11 meeting. The money will come out of the PPEL or SAVE accounts which are used for technology, building repairs, equipment, transportation equipment and construction.
After discussing the school district’s 5 Cast Plus monthly financials the school board approved the following major purchases:
•A used 12 passenger van, with 50,000 miles, from Pritchards for $35,997 and the trade-in of their older, high mileage van. In the past, sometimes two vans were necessary for some events and they would have to rent one. This larger van will take care of their needs and save them rental fees.
•Additional LED lights for the middle school for $18,260. The sixth grade wing was inadvertently missed when the blueprint for lights in the middle school was sent to Linahon Electric. This expenditure will finish the entire Middle School.
•Replacement of concrete stairs and sidewalk, and a new patio and retaining wall for the Alternative School and band room entrance for an amount not to exceed $40,140. The bid from Dean Snyder Construction includes all demo and removal, however, the School Board discussed the possibility of having some of the shop students do some of the work under the supervision of Dave Snyder. The school district could save money and the students would gain valuable experience.
•New landscaping near the Alternative School and band room entrance in the amount of $11,670. The bid from Noss Landscaping includes building a new wall between the sidewalk and hillside and replacing the large cobble with river rock.
•New fourth grade classroom furniture at Clear Creek Elementary for $50,755. Facility plans already allow for new furniture in each building each year. It was noted that the fourth grade class room would like to be able to move their tables so they can be more collaborative. The purchase from Innovative includes 25 rectangle tables on casters and a tote cabinet, which the company will install.
•Upgrade the district’s bus transportation software from their current Routefinder Pro to Routefinder Plus Migration for $12,300. The new software includes upgrades that will route the buses more efficiently.
Resignations were approved from Dana Scott, Middle School Para; and Taylor Peterson, Elementary Para. Resignations were also approved from Varsity Baseball coach A.J. Feuerbach; Asst. Varsity Baseball coach Richie Ellis; and ninth grade baseball coach Tim Raber.
Other Business
In other matters, the School Board approved the use of $225,000, transferred from the district’s flexibility account to the General Fund. The money came from $480,000 of FY23 excess funds from the Four-Year-Old Preschool State Aid project and excess funds of $145,000 from the Teacher Leadership State Aid project. The funds will be used to pay for teacher salaries and benefits increases, classroom supplies and curriculum.
