Bloomfield board approves transportation contracts

Transportation contracts were unanimously approved by the Bloomfield School Board of Trustees during its regular meeting on Thursday.

The six-year contracts will begin in 2007 and end in 2013.

During the recent opening of the bids, the board was represented by Eric Moody and Marvin Helms.

Helms explained that the bids are up 17 percent in cost and the last increase was 15 percent.

"For the district I'd say that's a pretty good deal."

Moody added, "We were really pleased."

In a phone interview on Friday Superintendent Dan Sichting explained, "We were really pleased with the bids."

He noted that 17 percent is a positive sign especially with the increase in fuel prices and the expected increase in bus costs.

"It's good for both sides and really good for the taxpayers," Sichting noted. "We're locked into a six-year transportation contract that is manageable for us."

In a 4-3 vote, the board approved Performance Services to authorize a feasibility study for the purpose of renovating the current mechanical operating systems that are used at the school.

Board members Keith Hanauer, Doug Frye and Marvin Helms voted against the study.

Frye expressed his concerns about the study being free.

"I would like to know for sure about these costs," he said, noting that he was concerned that the company would want paid after the study.

Hanauer expressed his concerns by noting that the company doesn't always go with the lowest bidder.

Board member Bob Kirk -- who voted to authorize the company -- stressed that the lowest bidder is not always the best bidder.

In other business, the board voted to authorize the outcomes, goals and guidelines for the public steering committee.

Dowden explained that the use of the steering committee is to provide a public forum for input in the feasibility study that will address the mechanical operating systems at the school.

In July, the board engaged in long-range planning activities that addressed concerns with the mechanics of the school, Dowden said.

Both the cooling system and the electrical system in the elementary school were two identified concerns.

During the meeting, the board approved the resignation of kindergarten teacher Shannon Dean effective .

Sichting stressed, "We're taking every effort to fill this position in a timely manner."

He added that he understands parents concerns and that the school will do its best to fill the position with the best possible candidate.

During the meeting the board also adopted the neutrality resolution for pension debt.

Dowden explained, that the resolution allows school corporations to sell bonds or eliminate unfounded retirement liability to employees.

In other business the board:

* Approved an overnight field trip for the student leadership academy.

* Approved an overnight field trip for the junior high student council.

* Approved several ECA recommendations.

* Appointed Ben Helms to sign program documents for Farm Services Agency.

* Approved the hiring of Ginger Urban and Marie Hasler for two vacant cafeteria II positions.

* Approved the resignation of Jan Yake as elementary school instructional library assistant.

* Approved the resignation of long-term substitute teacher Rex Kirchoff.

The next meeting of the board will be Oct. 26. The November meeting was changed from Nov. 30 to Nov. 28 per the request of Sichting.