1. School board approves second phase of purchasing buses
CISD has 15 new buses to add to its fleet now.
The board of trustees approved the purchase of 10 regular buses to hold 77 passengers, three special needs buses and two large activity buses. The cost of these buses is not to exceed $1,390,000 and will be paid for using 2017 bond funds.
In May, CISD voters approved a $208 million bond that focuses on alleviating capacity issues as well as many upgrades and maintenance projects throughout the district. Part of this package included a plan to replace all 77 of the district’s school buses and other vehicles over the next five years with a budget of $7.5 million.
The regular and special needs buses will be 2019 gasoline buses, which are equipped with three-point seatbelts, a safety vision camera system and a five-year warranty. The large activity buses hold 44 passengers and will be equipped with three-point seatbelts, 10 DVD monitors, a luggage compartment and a five-year warranty.
Trustee Read Ballew pointed out that as the budget currently stands, if there is any monetary inflation in the coming years the district may run low on its budget to replace the bus fleet.
"Maybe we start thinking, 'Do we need more money for these line items?'" he said. "I’d rather plan now than later."
He said other bond projects have come in under budget, and rather than spend the money on additional items, he said he'd rather see projects such as this finished.
District staff said the buses will be wrapped with the Dragon logo after they are delivered in approximately four to six months.
2. Carroll Senior High School adds 2 new courses
Two new courses were added to Carroll Senior High School for the 2018-19 school year. The courses include business information management, in which enrolled students will apply technical skills to address business applications of emerging technologies, create word-processing documents, develop spreadsheets, formulate a database and make electronic presentations using the appropriate software. With this course, students will be able to take a certification test to help the student advance to postsecondary university business schools.
The second course added is for advanced floral design, where enrolled students will be provided with a thorough understanding of the design elements and planning techniques used to produce specialty floral designs that support the goals and objectives of a specific occasion or event. The class also places an emphasis on budgetary adherence and entrepreneurship.
Assistant Superintendent Janet McDade said there would be a minimal budgetary impact, and funds can be obtained through career and technology education funds or general funds for the 2018-19 school year.
3. Board purchases new band uniforms for an amount not to exceed $215,000
The board approved the purchase of 425 new uniforms for the Carroll ISD band. Assistant Superintendent for Financial Services Scott Wrehe gave a presentation to the board discussing the uniforms, provided by Fred J. Miller.
He said that the uniforms by Fred J. Miller have a reputation for excellence and dependability and that a prior working relationship will lend to the overall experience of purchasing the uniforms.
“We did business with Fred J Miller back in 2009, and they held up extremely well, they showed no signs of premature aging," Wrehe said. "And then also the relationship the district has built up with the vendor.”
Board President Sheri Mills pointed out the uniforms the district currently uses were purchased nine years ago.
“These have lasted nine years?" she said. "That’s impressive.”
The uniforms are customizable, with removable sleeves to allow for different colored undershirts, adjustable paneling and sashes to suit the variety of shows students will perform.
