Gilmanton Board approves search for new school bus

by Beth Kraft

The Gilmanton School Board at its monthly meeting on Monday, March 14, gave school leaders the go-ahead to pursue purchasing a new bus on this year’s books.

District administrator Glen Denk said the age of some of the district’s existing five school buses led to the decision to seek adding a sixth school bus to the fleet for added safety. Looking at the district’s 2015-16 budget, Denk said the district is “in a good place” at this point in the school year. Energy costs were relatively low over the winter, which should help to make moving forward with buying a new bus before the end of the fiscal year possible.

The Board authorized a bus purchase up to $83,000 with the make and model yet to be determined as in-stock options at two dealerships are considered, Denk said.

Board members were also updated on the status of the well at the middle/high school, which fortunately has not tested positive for bacteria in the water system since fixes were made late last year.

After a routine test came back positive for bacteria last August, the district methodically worked to find a solution by trying out a variety of options to clear the water supply. The entire system was flushed multiple times and eventually pressure tanks and well pump components were replaced and the water retested until it passed. Subsequent water tests since then have not come back positive for bacteria, Denk said.

Altogether, the district paid nearly $11,000 to find a fix for the well, Denk reported, including the cost of labor, parts, lab tests and well over 100 cases of bottled water provided to students and staff while water fountains were shut off for about four months.

Also that night, the Board approved increases for hot lunch prices, effective for the 2016-17 school year. All student breakfast prices will increase 10 cents while lunch prices will go up five cents, said Denk, noting the district is required to raise prices each year per federal regulations.

In other business that night, the Board approved the following:

• Amy Burchard for cook/cook’s assistant

• donation of $267.34 from Target: Take Charge of Education for elementary school

• WIRCC contract for 2016-17 for payroll and accounting program support

• various policy updates