The Jasper School District will make use of school safety funds to beef up fencing around two of its campuses and purchase a new phone/intercom system for the entire district.
The board of education approved the expenditures at its regular meeting held Monday night, Dec. 16.
Dustin Hodge Fencing was the low bidder for construction of three feet high coated chain link fence that will be installed above the historic stone wall on the outer perimeter of the front of the Oark School campus. The quote was for $36,000.
Hodge also turned in the low bid for 200 feet of 6 feet tall ornamental and coasted chain link fencing at a cost of $42.13 per foot.
The school district's telephone and intercom system is obsolete and must be replaced. Superintendent Dr. Candra Brasel said the manufacturer no longer supports or maintains the system.
After reviewing four submitted bids, one proposal was identified that best aligns with the needs of the school district. Additionally, this proposal qualifies under the safety and security funding criteria for reimbursement, as previously allocated to the district. The district was awarded $133,316.
The cost of the new system from Ritter Communications including phones and speakers and their installation is $142,276.77.
The new system will reduce the monthly phone bill to $472.94 resulting in a savings $116 per month, Brasel added.
In other business, the board approved School Choice Policy updates, removed items from the district's Fixed Assets List and approved of SHI Microsoft License purchase ($11,075.12).
Under personnel, the board: Accepted the resignations of Jennifer Thomas, Oark aide, effective Dec. 18 and Brandon Clark, Kingston maintenance, effective Jan. 6, 2025; hired Ethan Fleming Oark science teacher effective Jan. 1, 2025 and Rana Harding, Jasper janitor, effective Jan. 6, 2025.
Linda Clark was hired as an after school tutor, effective Dec. 17.
