Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
AKRON - Tippecanoe Valley School Board Thursday approved an energy-saving coating for the high school roof.
The board agreed to the application of a white ultra-single-ply restoration system to the roof. This coating could potentially drop the temperature inside the gym by as much as 10 degrees, saving $18,000 that would have been spent on cooling coils.
Bill Morris, of Morris and Sons, explained the application and warranty to the board and the board approved investing $31,000 in the restoration.
Morris said the work will take two weeks or less and could be completed before the second home football game Sept. 14. With a 10-year warranty, the restoration system will enable the corporation to put off completely replacing the roof for at least 10 years, and should last up to an additional five years past warranty.
The board also approved replacing three school buses. Kerlin Bus Sales had the winning bid at $51,594 for each bus, with an additional $800 each to upgrade to 72-passenger buses over 66-passenger buses.
One bus being traded in is a special needs bus, and the replacement will cost an additional $5,289. This special needs bus will be set up to hold two wheelchairs and 66 passengers, with the seating being on tracks, and an additional four wheelchairs could be accommodated.
There are now 26 full-time buses, with one being for special needs students, and 12 part-time buses, with one of them also being a special needs bus.
The board discussed whether or not to purchase two or three buses and it was determined the best idea is to replace three this year. The total being spent on buses is $162,471.
The budget was read again and the board discussed resolutions that would be presented at the final budget approval meeting. The final budget amount depends on the total assessed value of property in the school district.
Members present were: Dan Kramer, superintendent; Debbie Baumgarter, treasurer; Mark Wise; Rod Eaton; Brian Murphy; Dave O'Brian; and Hal Huffman.
