By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays school board approved several large purchases at its meeting on Monday.
The board approved the lease agreement that will pay for a new heating and air conditioning system at Roosevelt Elementary School.
The annual payment on the $2.16 million debt will be about $240,000 paid over 10 years.
Work on the project will continue through the spring and summer.
The board approved a $265,000 bid from National Bus Sales for a new activity bus, as part of the district's ongoing vehicle replacement program.
The board approved the purchase of a compact tractor for buildings and ground. The low bid of $44,500 came from Lang Diesel for a Massey Ferguson. The bid includes a cab, loader and blade.
District staff researched buying a used tractor, but determined the government pricing made the cost of a new tractor comparable to the cost of a used tractor.
The tractor will be used to maintain the athletic fields at Hays High School, for snow removal and other buildings and grounds functions.
Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, said this tractor is replacing an older tractor, and the old tractor will be sold.
Board member Allen Park opposed the purchase, saying he did not think the tractor would be used enough to justify its purchase. He was the only no vote on the purchase.
Contracts
The board also approved contracts for classified director contracts.
They included the contracts for:
• Russ Henningsen, director of transportation
• Rusty Lindsay, director of building, grounds and maintenance
• Scott Summers, director of technology
• Jessica Younker, director of nutrition services
The board amended district policy to offer two-year contracts instead of one-year contracts to all district and building administrators.
Negotiations team
Board president Mike Walker appointed himself and board members Craig Pallister and Lance Bickle to the team for teacher negotiations. Board member Tammy Wellbrock was appointed as an alternate.