Building improvements discussed, ending budget approved
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Eldorado school board has decided to wait until companies inspect the boilers and cooling towers in the school before proceeding with a plan to issue health/life/safety bonds to cover repairs at the three schools.
The boiler system at the elementary school is in most need of repairs. The boiler appears at times to have a mind of its own, kicking on for two very warm hours before shutting off.
Architect Ed Kerkhover said he would recommend a modest system, one that simply gives staff some control over the temperature.
Kerkhover provided board members with a third version of priority repair needs for the schools and there will likely be at least one more version. Board members indicated they would be open to a tour of the buildings with Kerkhover to get a better idea on how to proceed.
As the list stands now the estimated cost of all repairs is $1,639,444.
Superintendent Gary Siebert suggested once there is a better idea on what boiler repairs might cost to speak again with the bonding counsel, determining what sort of bonding options to pursue and working backward to determine the final list of priority repair projects.
Amended budget
The board approved an amended budget for 2009-2010 that Siebert said is not an accurate reflection of the district's ending balances. The state owes the district $471,606 for the education fund and $247,735 for the transportation fund. Items owed to the education fund are mainly for the Early Childhood program. The state has only paid about 20 percent of what the district is owed for the year.
Siebert said some of the money still owed the district by the state is being included on the district's ending balances so that if the state pays up that money can be legally spent by the district.
The amended budget reflects an ending cash balance of $1,466,240 in the education fund, $24,054 in operations and maintenance, $27,945 in debt service, $10,535 in transportation, $195,289 in municipal retirement/social security, $43,171 in working cash, $21,936 in Tort and $47,678 in fire prevention and safety.
Siebert said he understands transportation reimbursement from the state may be cut by 25 percent next year which may amount to about $71,000 for the district.
The board also approved student handbooks. Dress codes in the middle school and elementary school have been modified middle school Principal Chris Morris said.
Pupils have been instructed not to be attending school in sleep wear. Some have countered they are not wearing sleep wear; they are wearing flannel pants. The dress code for next year excludes flannel pants.
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DeNeal receives e-mail at http://bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.</li>
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