Board approves building improvements

The Red Oak School Board tackled a light agenda at its regular meeting Feb. 14.

Among the action items on the agenda was renewal of a service contract with Cummins Sales and Service for back-up generators at Inman Elementary and the high school.

“They require regular maintenance and inspections to make sure they operate effectively when the time comes. Over time, the equipment deteriorates and adjustments are needed, and has do be documented and done by certified personnel,” said superintendent Ron Lorenz.

Lorenz was seeking a five-year extension, and the total cost was $16,653 for both buildings. The board approved the renewal of the service contract.

Also under discussion was the replacement of two overhead shop doors at the bus barn, as part of existing improvements already made to the building.

“We want to make sure our buses are secure, and this would replace the overhead doors in the lower service bays of the facility. The existing doors were not designed for overhead garage door openers, and we’ve had to fix the doors several times, and we are reaching the point where it’s becoming expensive to do so.

Cost of the installation for both doors was $11,608, paid for out of physical plant and equipment levy funds. The board approved the purchase of the new overhead doors.

The final action item was approval of a request from the School Budget Review Committee related to the state-wide voluntary preschool program, in the amount of $39,748.

“We have rebounded in preschool enrollments related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and had 11 more students in preschool this year than last year, so we are eligible to receive that funding, and all we need is board approval to pursue that and to send a request to the SBRC,” advised Lorenz.

The board approved the SBRC funding request for $39,748.

In other business, the board:

• Approved open enrollment requests for Haven Hockett from Southwest Valley to the Red Oak Community School district, and an open enrollment request for Jordan Phillips from Red Oak to the Stanton School District, both effective for the 2021-22 school year.

• Approved the resignation of Cliff Owen as high school girls basketball coach, effective at the end of the 2021-22 season, and Steve Thomas as bus driver, effective Feb. 8.

• Approved the hires of Coleman Mullenix as high school strength and conditioning teacher and girls head basketball coach, Alec Ruskell as high school physical education teacher, and Julie Green as Inman Elementary instructor, all for the 2022-23 school year.

The Red Oak Express

2012 Commerce Drive
P.O. Box 377
Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-623-2566 Fax: 712-623-2568

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