Project’s cost projected to be nearly $1 million

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Centre’s school board is working on plans to build an addition to the north side of the music room at Centre school that would include a weight room and two locker rooms, bathrooms, and a concession stand for the football field.

The school board is working with Gravity Works of El Dorado to design the project. Details are still being worked out.

The planned addition to the music room is tentatively projected to cost almost $1 million for the 5,850 square foot building, at $160 per square foot.

At the board’s Monday meeting, Gravity works representative Vince Haines said if bids were let in January, the new building could be ready next August.

New scoreboard purchased

Centre football fans and their guests have been looking at a little old secondhand football scoreboard this season that provides scores only.

Facilities manager Richard Idleman said the big scoreboard malfunctioned before the football season started, and numerous attempts to fix it were unsuccessful.

The board approved the purchase of a new $14,625 scoreboard from Daktronics of Brookings, South Dakota.

Two other bids were considered.

Idleman said the order will be sent in spring, and the new board will be ready for the next football season. The scoreboard carries a five-year warranty.

Property insurance purchased

The board approved a quote from Conrade Insurance Group for 2019-20 property/casualty, fleet, and liability insurance for $59, 986.

The quote from current insurer EMC Insurance Companies was $74,547.

The board noticed higher deductibles in fleet insurance with Conrade but decided to go with the overall lower premium.

The premium paid for 2018-19 was $61,662.

Superintendent Susan Beeson gave an overall view of how the district spends its money to fulfill the Kansas Can vision promoted by the Kansas State Board of Education.

The vision is to produce high school graduates who can realize their full potential and be successful in life, Beeson said.

The pathway to success for each student begins in preschool and carries through to two years after graduation.

Beeson’s report to the state will include how the district meets student needs, provides educational programming, provides safe facilities, and has adequate personnel to fulfill its vision.