Steeleville GS boiler replacement project comes in higher than expected

<span>STEELEVILLE -- The Steeleville District 138 school board received some unfortunate news during its regular meeting on Sept. 22.</span>

<span>District Superintendent Stephanie Mulholland reported to the board that the most recent cost estimation to replace five boilers at Steeleville Grade School came in more than $60,000 higher than first received.</span>

<span>The project will replace the existing boilers with three 90 percent efficient natural gas-fired ones, plus the associated piping, pump controls and PVC flutes.</span>

<span>In an estimate dated Aug. 14, an opinion of probable cost listed the total estimated price at $113,000, but roughly a month later, that cost was $173,484.</span>

<span>Mulholland said part of the reason for the additional cost was the need for an additional pump, which will cost $10,980.</span>

<span>"At this point, they've started the work because you never know when the cold weather is going to hit," Mulholland said. "We have to have it."</span>

<span>Mulholland also presented the 2014-15 estimated budget for the district, which showed an estimated deficit of $467,917. It will not require a budget deficit reduction plan to be filed with the state board of education.</span>

<span>A deficit reduction plan is required if direct revenues are less than direct expenditures by an amount equal to or greater than one-third of the fund balance.</span>

<span>"We're going to be switching some money around for the boiler project," Mulholland said.</span>

<span>In other action, the board approved a resolution to deny Columbia's withdraw from the Perandoe Special Education Cooperative, a move that was also approved by Chester District 139 during its school board meeting on Sept. 18.</span>

<span>"I am trying to pin down the financial estimates of this and it's very difficult to do," Mulholland said. "There may be a loss of some services."</span>

<span>The board also heard presentations from fourth grade teacher John Correll, fifth grade teacher Katrina Niemeyer and Steeleville High School teachers Michelle Mohr and Erin Dobson.</span>

<span>"We're gearing up for PARCC and getting the kids ready for that," Correll said. "We are taking a look at that and see what we need to do to get ready."</span>

<span>The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers is the new state assessment and accountability test this year and is being administered in grades third through eighth in English language arts and mathematics.</span>

<span>PARCC is designed by one of two multi-state coalitions working with $360 million in federal funds to develop new standardized tests.</span>

Other board action:

<span>Accepted the resignation of SHS cook Nancy Garlit</span>

<span>Approved the employment of part-time cook Jim Heinzmann</span>

<span>Approved the employment of part-time custodian Jim Heinzmann</span>

<span>Approved the employment of individual aides Lindsay Kranz, Amanda Hart and Brandi Swisher</span>

<span>Approved Steeleville Grade School assistant girls basketball coach Eric Raby</span>

<span>Approved Steeleville High School assistant volleyball coach Karen Furman</span>

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