Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Banner County School Board purchases several needed upgrades

The Banner County School Board met for their regularly scheduled meeting on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.

In the past month, the school has made some exciting and needed purchases.

Five new HP ProBooks, a new surveillance camera, miscellaneous computer hardware and an Adobe software package were one of major purchases. The laptops will be used mostly by the teachers who were in need of upgrades. The Adobe software has multiple programs, one of which is the Photoshop program that will be utilized by the students for the creation of the Yearbook. One of the unique uses within the Adobe software package is a program that will be used to convert any document into a fillable PDF. This will be useful not only for teachers but for students needing to fill out college applications.

Also purchased this month was three sets of double doors that have been needed for quite some time. These new doors will help insulate the school, sealing out snow and cold and encourage heat from escaping.

A new Wildcat mascot costume has finally been purchased for the school. Miss Jessica Stauffer, Student Council advisor, displayed the costume at the board meeting. The silvery grey body with white accents and big bright blue eye will be the perfect replacement for the older and well used costume. Many students are already asking to wear the mascot uniform, therefore try-outs will be set to see who will be wearing the wildcat in upcoming games. They hope to debut the new mascot at the first basketball game.

The Honor Society, sponsored by Mrs. Kari Gifford and Mrs. Jeri Revelle, had a busy second week of November. They provided an evening meal for the Banner County Election Board on Nov. 8 and then followed up with a Veterans Day breakfast and program. An email was received from a local veteran thanking the school for their time and effort. In the email, the veteran said, "I can safely say that was the best (Veterans Day) program I've ever attended because it came from the heart and it showed."

In new business, five bids were reviewed and after careful consideration, the board approved the purchase of an 8- passenger vehicle from Team Auto. The 2017 Chevy Suburban will be purchased for $45,260 which includes the $2,000 trade in for the school's 2009 white Impala. Payment will be taken from the depreciation fund.

The board thoroughly discussed replacement of the electronic control panel for the school's HVAC system. As it is the original panel, parts are no longer available for it. If the panel were to break down, the entire HVAC system could be down for up to several weeks while new parts are purchased, ordered and fitted into the older system. Although cost is significant, the possibility of having to shut down the school for several weeks was a bigger concern, so the board approved purchase of a new HVAC control panel for the price of $16,550. Board member Grant Lerwick said, "it was a tough decision." The new panel will be installed over the holiday break.

The gym floor tarps have been estimated to be at least 20 years old and have been in need of replacement for quite some time. The board sent out bid requests, receiving two. They unanimously accepted and ordered new tarps and a rack to hang the tarps on for the price of $6,054 including freight.

Although it was not a unanimous decision, work will continue on the two teacherage buildings with new steps, patio, sidewalk and porch columns being installed. Bids were received and Sides Construction was given the job for a cost of $12,000.

The board then went into closed session to discus Superintendent, Mrs. Lana Sides', evaluation and salary for the 2016-17 school year. After nearly an hour deliberations, "no decision is being made (tonight)," a decision will be made at the next meeting.

The next meeting of the Banner County School board is scheduled for Dec 12 at 7 p.m.