The Platte County School District set its operating budget for the 2018-2019 school board at the most recent board of education meeting.
The total budget is projected to be around $44.5 million and Dr. Mike Reik noted the district ended with a surplus from last year, spending less than they collected for the 2017-2018 school year.
He cautioned the budget is fluid and there will be changes throughout the fiscal year.
The board approved the purchase three new school buses, two 77-passenger buses and one 42-passenger bus with a lift.
The first two buses will come from Midwest Bus Sales, Inc., for the purchase of two 2019 Thomas Saf-T-Liner C2 buses. The cost after trading in another bus from the current fleet will be $168,330. Also bidding was Central States and Midwest Transit, each with a higher bid total than Midwest Bus Sales.
Central States Bus Sales, Inc., had the lowest bid for a 42-passenger bus at $89,325, which included a $4,000 trade-in allowance, $1,500 more than the second closest bidder, Midwest Bus Sales. The bus that will be traded in has more than 125,000 miles.
JT Thomas, director of transportation, noted the district decided to trade in only two instead of three due to the possibility a 77-passenger bus may be needed for a new route for Pathfinder and Barry.
The district will take possession of the new buses in October.
The board also approved an agreement with Trebron Co., Inc., for internet content filtering for the next three years for $44,000. Payments will be made before July 31 the next three years and the license expires on June 30, 2021.
The change was made due to the previous vendor being unable to fulfill the pricing provided in the past.
Another change was amending the MSBA policy to fall in line with federal changes when it comes to snacks. The district compared fast food meals to snacks, such as cupcakes and a slice of ice cream birthday cake. The equivalent of an entire meal can be used as a snack and that is deemed ‘reasonable’ by the new standards.
The Northland Career Center SkillsUSA national competitors and agricultural program/FFA chapters were honored during the meeting.
Dawson Tyler, a 2017 graduate of Liberty North was honored at the state FFA convention for his work running his own business, DT Lawn Service. He grew from mowing seven lawns to more than 20 and added landscaping and snow removal. He continued to track his receipts and expenditure for the two-year state degree.
Hayden Kelley, a Platte County student, was the NCC outstanding student with two years of perfect attendance. He was the FFA chapter president this past year.
Also noted was Katherine Little (North Kansas City) and Sydni Akey (Park Hill South) being selected to the state FFA chorus, which had 180 individuals chosen and performed in front of more than 8,000 people in April.
NCC sent six students to the national SkillsUSA Championships in Louisville, Ky.
In other news
Approved a professional service agreement contract with RSP & Associations to manage the district growth, finances and supports.
Melanie Barnett, an agriculture science instructor at NCC, was the June SCHIVIR Me Timbers recipient.
Named Reik the CEO; Vickie Diggs the board secretary, Suzanne Murphy as acting secretary and Terry Fryrear as treasurer.
The district building corporation was approved: John Higgins, president; Stan Palmer, vice president; Michelle Crider, secretary; Reik, treasurer/assistant secretary; Sharon Sherwood, board of education president as ex-officio member.
The next meeting is Thursday, July 19 at 6:30 p.m.