The Clinton Board of Education met for their monthly meeting Tuesday evening.
The board extensively discussed the approval of the Bus Lease Agreement for the purchase of eight school buses and one mini handicapped accessible bus. Upgrading the buses is an every other year issue for the board. This year happens to be a year the Transportation Committee would take action on upgrading the buses.
Superintendent of Clinton Schools Dr. Jeff Holmes explains this is the seventh year Clinton Schools will take part in the program of recycling buses every five years for upgrades. According to Dr. Holmes, the district has cut down one of the routes, and therefore the opportunity presents itself for the district to trade some of their current buses in and get a good trade in value for those current buses.
[audio:boardeducationmeeting1.mp3]Dr. Holmes Explains Process[/audio]
Dr. Holmes recommended to the board to make a down payment of $100-thousand dollars. The financing for the buses will go through the First National Bank and Trust of Clinton for a total financing amount of just over $220-thousand. The board received some good news yesterday, the board received a 100-thousand dollar check from the state for their transportation fund. Dr. Holmes says the check received from the state will be the down payment.
[audio:boardeducationmeeting2.mp3]Dr. Holmes on State Payment[/audio]
Dr. Holmes expressed concern they would not receive their transportation funds, but he says the transportation funds as of right now are in good shape.
Tim Doolin with Ponder from Litchfield, he says the buses Clinton has returned this year are in excellent condition and low mileage, which is why the trade-in value on those is so high. He also says mentions that Clinton is one of approximately 15 schools that take part in the recycling of buses program.
[audio:boardeducationmeeting3.mp3]Doolin on Bus Conditions[/audio]
The board approved the purchase of the trade-in of 11 buses for the eight new school buses and one mini handicapped bus with financing going through the First National Bank and Trust of Clinton at a cost of just over $220-thousand.
Other items the Board of Education discussed and/or took action on several other items including in the area of building projects...
>A maintenance agreement regarding the Jr. High with Ruyle Mechanical .
> The board voted to replace the Lincoln Elementary gym ceiling at a cost of just over $19-thousand.
> The board approved the upgrade of the Jr. High School gym's light replacement at a cost of just over $23-thousand.
> The board approved the project of hand rail installation at the football field at a cost of just over $11-thousand, much like what is being done to the high school gym bleachers.
