During the monthly Warsaw Community School board work session the board heard several proposals for annual maintenance to grounds, updates to technology, new bus purchases as well as a future plan for the WCS 1:1 technology program

Proposals began with a discussion on necessary grounds and building maintenance from Director of Buildings and Grounds Dirk Felger. Felger proposed the annual gym floor maintenance, which would include resurfacing of elementary school, middle school and high school gym floors. This maintenance is estimated at $41,335 and would be completed by Hammel Floor Service, Inc.

Felger also proposed replacing broken asphalt at Lakeview Middle School. Felger noted the asphalt near the machine shop has been worn down and purposed the laying of concrete in that area. Should the board approve the proposal, the work would be completed by Pioneer at $17,215.

Dirk also proposed pavement replacement at Lakeview, where he noted oversight had cause some issues for asphalt on the property. The replacement is estimated at $48,407.50 and would be competed by Ranger Materials. Other asphalt projects included pavement maintenance at Eisenhower, Harrison and Lakeview. This work is done on a three year rotation. The bid, which was cast by Ranger Materials, was set at $80,922.14. Though Felger noted the bid appeared higher than others presented, Ranger offered a significant amount more in terms of repairs.

Chief Financial Officer Kevin Scott presented a bus replacement proposal that would replace five conventional school buses and one special needs bus. Though the bus replacement would grant the school six new buses, Scott noted numerous issues were seen with the 2003 buses the school currently owns, leading to numerous very costly engine repairs. Due to this, Scott purposed the purchase of one additional bus to help in phasing out the 2003 models.

According to Scott, the trade value of these buses only offered a few thousand dollars, however, the repair of a broken engine cost approximately $17,000. The money for the additional bus purchase would come out of the “rainy day fund,” a fund that essentially exists for the school to utilize should an unexpected cost arise. The board entrusted the decision to Scott with the cost of an additional bus just under $100,000. The six busses original purposed would be provided by Kerlin Bus Sales in Silver lake for $615,829, leaving just under $10,000 in the bus replacement fund.

Chief Technology Officer Brad Hagg also went before the board with purposals to update the school messenger system, iPad cases as well as a renewal for the 1:1 initiative. Hagg noted the messenger system supplies automated notifications to parents. The existing program has caused numerous issues according to Hagg. Issues include an inability to remove those called from the call list as well as people from all over the US receiving calls they should not. The new program, Hagg notes, would cost $1.50 per student with an app available for an additional 85 cents per student. Hagg noted the proposal is one year to ensure the school has options should the new program not function as expected. The proposal was estimated at $16,752.65.

Lastly, proposals involving the corporation’s 1:1 iPad initiative were heard. Hagg proposed new cases be purchased from Gumdrop to protect iPads from damages. These cases, he noted, have proved very effective with existing iPads this year. The cost would be $36,152.60 should the board approve. Hagg also proposed the annual purchase and implementation of a three year lease agreement for sixth graders to receive iPad mini 2s. The cost of purchasing the iPads from Apple would be $56,201.68 and would come from the text book rental and capital projects funds.

To view the April financial recap, click here.