Troup ISD seeking bids for roofing, vehicle purchases

Troup trustees approved the advertisement of bids for two projects at Monday's regular school board meeting.

The first is the purchase of new school vehicles including a three-quarter ton truck, eightpassenger vehicle and one or two school buses. The second is a roofing estimate for the elementary library/computer area and small gymnasium.

The truck would allow the school to phase out a 1990 vehicle at the bottom of the list of maintenance vehicles; among other things, the new truck would be used to pull the band trailer. The eight-passenger vehicle, a Suburban/Expedition type SUV, would be primarily a traveling vehicle, according to Dewayne Brown, director of support services, who made both bid presentations.

As the school's policy is to replace buses after the 10-year mark, Brown recommended the board consider a bus equipped with shoulder belts for its next purchase; although not required now, a law mandating the safety feature will go into effect in 2010.

With prices for buses expected to rise at that time, board member Keith Lindsey suggested they advertise bids for two vehicles instead of one to get ahead. The board approved seeking bids for the suggested vehicles, including two buses equipped with shoulder belts that will seat 55 each.

Brown told the board that the roofs of the elementar y library/ computer facility and the small gymnasium were both requiring regular repairs, especially with recent heavy rains. An unofficial estimate from the company which makes the repairs puts the cost to re-roof both areas at $130,000.

Before the board approved the project, Lindsey asked about the overall condition of the buildings; Brown said the buildings were in good shape otherwise and had been renovated in the 1999 bond package.

In other agenda items, the board approved an educational trip for the FFA officers. The board gave its OK for the group to attend the FFA state convention in Lubbock and then visit Carlsbad, N.M.

The board did not take action on a proposed bid for struck-off property. With the bid offer of $2,725 well below the appraised value of $5,290, the resolution authorizing board president Joe Paul McElroy to accept the bid failed without a motion. The property will be re-submitted for bids.

Trustees accepted all items on the consent agenda, including textbook adoptions.

The board heard various reports, including updates for the softball field and the trustee election from Brown, a financial report from Jennifer Stewart and the superintendent's report, which touched on restructuring the duties of the maintenance crew in light of director David Sutton and staff's impending retirement.

Following an executive session, the board voted to hire Vanessa Saylor as a full-time athletic trainer and to renew all teacher contracts as presented.

During the meeting the board also recognized students, teacher and paraprofessional employee of the month.

High school: Christina Cline. Christina is a cheerleader, in the band and plays volleyball. She is the junior class student council president.

Middle school: Will Langston. Will could not be at the meeting, as he was participating in a middle school track meet, but Principal Ava Johnson praised him as an awesome kid.

Elmentary: Diamond Tubaya. Diamond is a fifthgrader and an Ambassador. Principal Debbie Moxley said she was a role model.

Teacher: Danna Wilson. Moxley said the Pre-K teacher was loved by her co-workers, students and parents.

Paraprofessional: Brandy Williamson. The middle school secretary could not attend, but Johnson said she was "very proud of her, she's the world's best secretary."