School District 166 has put off replacing the school bus garage for several years. After Maintenance Supervisor Tom Nelson gave a report on the deteriorating condition of the building, the school board authorized the letting of bids for construction of a new building.
School District 166 has been debating whether or not to proceed with construction of a new bus garage for several months. At a May 7 school board meeting, the decision was postponed until School Maintenance Supervisor Tom Nelson could give a report on the condition of the building. On May 21, the board heard that report and ultimately passed a motion to let bids for replacement of the building.
Nelson brought photos of the disrepair of the building and stated, “They don’t really do it justice.”
The board noted the caved in back wall (caused by snow load) and broken wood supports. They asked about the garage doors. Nelson said an accident about two years ago damaged the big sliding doors and then the wind took it off completely. Nelson said there is no way to get the school buses out of the weather or to keep wildlife out.
“What kind of wildlife?” asked School Board Member Deb White.
“Skunks, rabbits, raccoons— nothing is secure,” answered Nelson.
White acknowledged the buckled metal wall, but asked about the structural integrity of the building. “Is it in danger of falling down?” she asked.
Nelson said he was not an engineer, but he had concerns about the structure. He said he had two local contractors look at the building and both recommended replacement. “It’s not worth saving,” he said.
School Board Chair Jeanne Anderson asked how many buses were housed in the garage. Nelson said the school district has 12 buses—nine are parked in the building under discussion and three in the other shop where maintenance is performed.
“So in the winter, in minus 15 degree weather, we expect people to work in this garage?” asked Board Member Terry Collins. Anderson noted the uninsulated walls.
Board Member Sissy Lunde reiterated what she said at the May 7 meeting.
She said the “ballpark” figure to replace the structure is $225,000 and repeated, “I’m all for it, but we have to give something up. What are we going to give up?”
Superintendent Beth Schwarz said replacement of the elementary school gym floor had been pushed back a year. She said she feels the bus garage construction is a more urgent need.
And, Schwarz said she is still hopeful that the legislature will provide the school with some deferred maintenance funding, which could be used for the new structure.
Nelson said a health and safety representative is coming to visit and he will show him the garage to see if health and safety funds could be used for the garage.
Board Member Chris Goettl noted that if the school board invested in building repairs, it would be like putting a “big Band- Aid” on the building and the Band-Aid would have to come off at some point.
Collins moved, and Goettl seconded a motion to let bids for construction of a new bus garage. The motion carried unanimously.
At press time, bids had not yet been let. It is anticipated that bid information will be available soon. The bid deadline will be July 21.
Leave a Reply