By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board approved two capital purchases and a change order for an asbestos removal project at its meeting on Monday.
The board approved the purchase of an activity bus for $234,604 from Kansas Truck. The purchase is part of the district's scheduled vehicle replacement plan.
The bus is being purchased with 2027 funds, but the order needed to be placed now to lock in the price, Russ Henningsen, transportation director, said.
It approved a bid from Sunflower Restaurant Supply for steamers at Hays Middle School in the amount of $20,700.
It also approved a change order for $26,199 from ISI Industrial Services for asbestos removal at Felten Elementary School. Superintendent Ron Wilson said the contract is to abate mastic containing asbestos under the tile at the school.
Workers discovered additional tile beneath the carpet when it was removed.
HVAC maintenance contract
A HVAC preventive maintenance service agreement with Glassman Corp to add equipment at Roosevelt Elementary and Hays Middle schools for $61,000 annually failed to gain approval. The contract would have been effective through Dec. 31, 2029.
Board member Derek Yarmer asked how many man-hours Glassman would spend on the maintenance. He said he thought the contract cost was too high and should be bid out.
Board member Allen Park said he thought the work should be performed by district staff.
A Glassman representative said spring maintenance for all district HVAC units requires three to four employees, up to five weeks to complete. The units undergo maintenance again in December.
Craig Pallister said there are benefits to having a local company that can maintain the equipment.
Chris Hipp, assistant superintendent of business services, said if the maintenance contract were put out for bid, any company could bid on it. The school board must accept the low bid if it meets the bid specifications. The board may award a contract to a local company that is not the low bidder only if the bid is within 1% of the low bid.
Jayme Goetz recused herself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest, and board member Ruth Ruder was absent.
The motion to approve the contract failed on a vote of 2-3, with board members Ken Brooks and Craig Pallister voting for and Park, Yarmer and Curt Vajnar voting against.
Vajnar asked whether Glassman would agree to a one-year contract.
Other business
Wilson said the O'Loughlin renovation project is on schedule and on budget. Drywall is going up in the additions, he said.
The board tabled the administrator's contracts.
It also heard reports on the district crisis plan and from Doug Williams of Grow Hays, who presented on Hays 2025 economic activity.