DT School directors reluctantly approve buying policy change. STEVEN VETTER Managing Editor ©I-70Scout DEER TRAIL — The Deer Trail School Board narrowly approved amending the district’s purchasing policy and was also asked to consider improving access for the town’s senior citizens during its Sept. 22 meeting. By a vote of 3-2, the board approved increasing the amount of money requiring prior board approval from $1,000 to $10,000. Board president John Price, vice president Randy Eldringhoff and director Candice Reed voted for the amendment while secretary Mike Geesen and treasurer Luisa Lumbano dissented. Superintendent Robin Purdy said the increase in the pre-approval cap came from the district’s attorney, who indicated he was surprised by the $ 1,000 figure already in the policy. Price, who said he understood the need for a higher figure, first indicated that he would be more amicable to a cap of $5,000 to $7,500, but decided to go with the $ 10,000 figure in the end. Geesen and Lumbano both thought the proposed figure was too high and were in favor of something closer to $5,000. Geesen said it is his opinion the district has been spending a lot of money and needs to further watch its fiscal standing. Purdy and maintenance director John Dillingham both said that the buying power of $5,000 isnt what it used to be 10 or more years ago and that there are several instances where an emergency equipment break can’t be repaired immediately if the direct purchase cap isn’t increase. “You’re talking around $6,000 to $7,000, at least, for a furnace or A/C unit and by the time we would post a meeting and get everybody together, you are probably talking at least three days,” Dillingham said. “What are we going to do — force our kids to sit in a freezing school or cancel school until it’s fixed? We need to be able to fix things quickly.” Purdy also asked the board why it wouldnt pass the spending change when it was suggested by the district’s attorney, who was paid $700 for his input. “That’s what we pay him for—to look at policies,” she said. Lumbano suggested an emergency clause in the policy to allow for equipment or facility repair, but the logistics of that clause were determined too onerous. SENIOR ACCESS Town resident Kathy Reid asked the board to consider allowing Deer Trail senior citizens to enter the school for lunch from the cafeteria exit on the Third security upgrades to around 75 per month this school year. The new security protocol at the school requires all visitors to enter from Second Avenue but Reid said many seniors can’t negotiate the longer trek that is marred with uneven concrete, rock and grassy areas. Several area seniors have canes, walkers or wheelchairs that are hard to negotiate on the front side of the building. Reid said the back entrance to the cafeteria is less obstructed and would allow more seniors to partake in the meals at the school. “If we could just find maybe a 15 or 20 minute window to have somebody let us in, that would sure help,” she said. “The seniors of this community have supported this school a lot and it would sure be nice if we could continue to enjoy the meals here.” The board and school administration both indicated a desire to find a remedy and were expected to have a reply back to Reid by the end of September. OTHER BUSINESS Dillingham announced that installation of the new overhead gas line for the heating and A/C units and for the pool was completed earlier in the month. In addition, work continues to fix the pool floor, since water was drained out of it after the boiler went down. Dillingham said seven weak spots found in the pool floor have been replaced as well as the entire surface Friday, October 3, 2014 STEVEN VETTER/Eastern Colorado News Photo on page: The Deer Trail School pool is going through renovations, including having several weak spots repaired and getting its entire floor surface re-plastered. The pool was drained after the school lost gas service to its heating and A/C units as well as the pool boiler. GOOD NIGHT Until We Meet Again. Happy Trails Too All. :)
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:29:12 +0000
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