School sound systems to be repaired

The audio systems in the Kimball Jr./Sr. High School’s north gym and the Harry E. McNees Auditorium will be repaired and updated following unanimous votes of the Kimball Board of Education.

Two proposals were received for the north gym, the gymnasium original to the Kimball Jr./Sr. High School.

“The recommended bid was a more economical refurbishment, which I think will serve us very well,” Superintendent Marshall Lewis said. “So I would suggest the board supports the recommendation of the Building and Grounds Committee on hiring Audio Matrix to do that.”

Audio Matrix Inc., of Cheyenne, Wyo., will replace the speakers and mounts in the gym and add a new, two channel wireless microphone system for a total proposed cost of $6,821.50. Kimball Public Schools will have to provide a two man lift for the purpose.

“We are, for this project, looking at several donations of materials and equipment,” Lewis said. “We would like to recognize that when it comes about.”

Some of these financial donations are planned from memorials as well as past graduating classes.

Two proposals were also received for the work needed on the auditorium’s audio system. One proposal addressed not just the audio system, but the lighting as well and was a significantly higher cost.

“We believe we can self-manage the lighting over a period of time in order to do some improvements there,” Lewis said. “So the recommendation of the committee again was to go with Audio Matrix for $6,660.”

That cost will cover the replacement of 200 feet of snake 12-microphone input, which can be managed from the control room, and a power conditioner for that system. The cost also covers speakers, a new console and labor.

“Again, I think we are getting the most bang for our buck with this,” Lewis said. “This company has connections to Kimball before Kimball Public Schools. I want to develop a relationship as they come in to do these two things. So that, as we continue to repair and replace, we get a little bit better all the way through and we get continual training.”

The board also heard the recommendation for roof replacement at the High School from the building and grounds committee.

Two proposals offered bids; both would remove the ballasting rock and one was going to coat and seal the roof over the top of the existing roof while the other would remove everything down to the insulation and decking and then re-roof.

“The dollars were not too far off for the difference,” Lewis said. “It was just a little bit more expensive to go the direction that the committee is leaning towards. We got to Fischer Roofing through Hays Roofing here in town, they work together and Fischer works on flat roofs.”

Fischer Roofing’s proposal was accepted unanimously for a total of $9,867 compared to $7,892 for the less expensive bid.

The board then reviewed policy changes for student travel for activities and events, transportation services and the bus safety program prior to adjourning.