OARK — Dry rot has made an appearance at the Jasper School gym.
It was hard to notice at first, but each time the telescopic bleachers were rolled out or back in the task became more difficult. Evidence of the problem manifested in a powdery residue on the new wood floor.
The situation is getting worse, the Jasper School District Board of Education was informed at its meeting held at the Oark School Campus Tuesday night, Oct. 15.
Jasper High School Principal Todd Parker and Superintendent Dr. Candra Brasel felt the bleachers needed inspection and it was found that many of the wheels, or rollers, are disintegrating. Chunks and pieces of the rollers were found under the bleachers.
School & Office Products of Little Rock provided the school district with the cost estimate for the needed maintenance, parts and repairs based on that inspection.
The bleachers need eight friction power rollers costing $12,621.34, and full maintenance of the three banks of bleachers totaling six sections with 23 total rows would cost $9,548.62. Dr. Brasel said replacing the rollers only was first considered, but seeing that the cost of replacing the bleachers with new ones is prohibitive, it is recommended that full repairs and maintenance be completed at an estimated cost of $22,169.96.
The vendor noted in its quote that the estimated lead time for all part is 6-8 weeks, and with the age of the bleachers being over 20 years old the quote excludes any unforeseen parts and repairs that may be needed that could be found or detected during the full maintenance. More costs could accrue.
It was also noted that any electrical work needed would have to be performed by another contractor.
The board approved the expenditure of funds for the repairs and maintenance.
In another expenditure request, the board approved a contract with Bailey Education Group LLC to provided 15 days of instructional training to Jasper Elementary teachers at a cost of $22,500. The cost will be paid with school improvement money the district received earlier from the state.
Bailey Group was one of the few vendors approved by the state.
The board updated the classified salary schedule to adjust the Early Steps coordinator salary under the Save the Children Grant. The salary for the position was raised by Save the Children to $18 an hour.
The school district has been approved to receive a school safety grant to upgrade the school district's intercom communication system. That grant totals $133,000, Dr. Brasel told the board. The school district was informed that it did not qualify for funds to add perimeter fencing or for some other requests.
The board approved an out-of-state trip request by the Kingston High School 7th and 8th grade History Class to visit the Golden Pioneer Museum in Golden, Missouri, Oct. 29. According to the museum's website, it gives the visitor a unique look into the lives of early Americans, both Native and the settlers who came in the 1800s. The Early American Pattern Glass collection is abundant with rare examples of some of the finest American made pieces from the late 1800s and early 1900s including one of the largest collections of Carnival Glass in the Midwest.
