Warsaw School Board Reviews Plowing, Recycling Bids
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Though the first measurable snow of the season fell Tuesday, the Warsaw School Board only reviewed the snow plowing agreements for 2012-13 at its public work session last night. The board also took a look at its trash removal and recycling bids. The snow plowing agreements include LDP Excavating for the campus area and Gateway Education Center; Hohman Excavating for Claypool Elementary; Five Star Landscaping, Madison; Batalis Construction for Eisenhower, Jefferson and Lincoln; Art & Sons Excavating for Harrison and Leesburg; and Newton & Sons Excavating for Lakeview Middle School and the maintenance and transportation departments. School board member Delores Hearn asked Director of Maintenance Greg Schroeder, “When do we decide to use our in-house services?” For sidewalks and areas like that, Schroeder said they take care of those in house. For parking lots, contractors are used. If it snows 2 or more inches, it’s a call out, Schroeder said. For less than 2 inches, he said it depends on the situation. Dan Metzger, board secretary, asked if the snow plowing agreements are usually approved before now. Schroeder said they were usually done in August. Board President Jennifer Tandy asked why there was such a variety in the rates. Schroeder responded it’s in the contractor’s hands how much they bill. Also, not every contractor uses the same equipment. The board will be asked to approve the snow removal agreements at its Dec. 20 meeting at 6 p.m. For the past several years, Warsaw Schools’ trash and recycling services have been handled by Veolia Environmental Services without a formal agreement. Tuesday, the board was presented with quotes for waste and recycling services from Stafford Solid Waste, Advanced Disposal Services (formerly Veolia) and Waste Management. Though the low quote was submitted by Advanced Disposal, board members did not have all the information in their packets from Advanced Disposal. The board will be presented with the information again at its January meeting. Advanced’s quote was $41,700 per year for two years. Metzger said through the end of November, Warsaw Schools paid Advanced more than $53,000 for 12 months. Now they’re bidding $41,700. Steve Stichter, director of business operations, said any new pick ups the school system asked for in the year were included in the $53,000, but are not included in the $41,700. There is an additional cost for additional pick ups. Metzger wanted to know why they decided not to go with a compactor at the high school. In taking a second look at it, Schroeder said, “We didn’t feel like it was worth the extra money. There would be a cost associated with compacting.” Stichter said the compactor would mainly affect the high school. Looking at the dollars, over three years the school corporation could save close to $50,000 without a compactor. “If that’s a real number,” Metzger stated. Metzger also pointed out the bids didn’t stipulate 12 months. Schroeder said there was some confusion on that, but all three bidders were made aware that it was for 12 months. “I want to make sure everything is laid out and everyone knows it’s 12 months,” Metzger said. “There’s such a discrepancy in here.” Superintendent Dr. Craig Hintz apologized to the board for not having all the information in their packets and suggested the item come back to the board at its January work session. In another matter, Director of Technology Brad Hagg and Eisenhower Elementary Principal Chris Gensinger presented a proposal to the board regarding Computerized Yamaha Music in Education System at Eisenhower. The program teaches musical concepts to students during music class through the use of computerized piano keyboards, software, an iMac computer and integrated curriculum. Total cost of the system is $24,995 and will be covered through the use of budgeted 2012 Capital Projects Fund technology funds. Gensinger said the company will pay for a teacher to fly out to Virginia for three days of intensive lessons on the program because they want the teacher to do it right. Gensinger said the program would be for all grades. Metzger asked if the board was going to get other requests by other school principals for more funding if they approved Gensinger’s request. Hagg said the majority of the funds come from money allocated to Eisenhower. About $9,000 would come from district funds, and $15,000 from building funds. If they do this, Gensinger said, he wanted a teacher to be trained and then use the program during the last grading period of this school year to see how it works.
