Wawasee Schools Buy Buses, Land
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
According to its 12-year replacement plan, the board agreed to buy five 78-passenger school buses for a total of $449,370 and a 14-seat bus for $44,024. The district has a fleet of 60 buses, which have been increasing in capacity as parents and students drive to school less often, Superintendent Tom Edington noted.
The board also approved the purchase of one acre of land along Kern Road for $114,000, the average of two appraisal values. The land bordering the high school used to belong to the district but was sold to Syracuse to build a water tower, and is now in private hands.
Also during the meeting, the board signed a three-year contract with Star School Items for publishing student handbooks. At $3.39 per book, 2,750 books will be published each year for $9,322.
Edington told the board a five-year contract would have given them a better rate, but the move to one-per-student electronic devices is expected to make physical copies of the handbook obsolete.
The board learned at the June 14 meeting that the first batch of tablet PCs may be in incoming high school freshmen hands this fall, at a total cost of $100,000. The tablets will have digital copies of textbooks and other study aids for students to use in school and at home.
Board members also remarked Tuesday on the departure of Wawasee's two student services coordinators. Eric Speicher is leaving this month to become principal of Pierceton Elementary School, and Wade Jagger will become assistant principal at West Noble Middle School.
Wawasee is seeking replacements for the student services coordinator positions, which were created last year to work closely with students and their parents. The district is also seeking two librarians – a full-time position at the high school and part-time traveling among K-8 buildings.[[In-content Ad]]
According to its 12-year replacement plan, the board agreed to buy five 78-passenger school buses for a total of $449,370 and a 14-seat bus for $44,024. The district has a fleet of 60 buses, which have been increasing in capacity as parents and students drive to school less often, Superintendent Tom Edington noted.
The board also approved the purchase of one acre of land along Kern Road for $114,000, the average of two appraisal values. The land bordering the high school used to belong to the district but was sold to Syracuse to build a water tower, and is now in private hands.
Also during the meeting, the board signed a three-year contract with Star School Items for publishing student handbooks. At $3.39 per book, 2,750 books will be published each year for $9,322.
Edington told the board a five-year contract would have given them a better rate, but the move to one-per-student electronic devices is expected to make physical copies of the handbook obsolete.
The board learned at the June 14 meeting that the first batch of tablet PCs may be in incoming high school freshmen hands this fall, at a total cost of $100,000. The tablets will have digital copies of textbooks and other study aids for students to use in school and at home.
Board members also remarked Tuesday on the departure of Wawasee's two student services coordinators. Eric Speicher is leaving this month to become principal of Pierceton Elementary School, and Wade Jagger will become assistant principal at West Noble Middle School.
Wawasee is seeking replacements for the student services coordinator positions, which were created last year to work closely with students and their parents. The district is also seeking two librarians – a full-time position at the high school and part-time traveling among K-8 buildings.[[In-content Ad]]
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092