Board approves dump truck purchase and restroom renovation in unanimous roll call votes

The Mercer County Board of Education approved two roll-call items during the meeting.

Dump truck purchase: The board voted unanimously to purchase a 2024 Ram 3500 nine-foot dump-bed truck from Jeff Wyler of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, pending an in-person district inspection. Amber Francesca moved the purchase and Billy Montgomery seconded. The board discussed the need for a dump-bed truck that could carry a plow and a salt box for winter work; the plan is to acquire three plows so the new truck and two existing district trucks can be fitted. The motion included a condition that the district perform an in-person inspection before finalizing the purchase. Roll-call: Amber Francesca (District 1) — yes; Amy Hart (District 2) — yes; Billy Montgomery (District 3) — yes; Cliff Pruitt (District 4) — yes; Randy Phillips (District 5) — yes.

Restroom renovation (PG-4) closeout approval: The board also approved the PG-4 closeout for a restroom renovation project (noted as KMS restroom work in the materials). Beth (staff) said closeout paperwork, inspections and warranties had been completed and that the project came in approximately $150,000 under earlier expectations. Billy Montgomery moved approval and Cliff Pruitt seconded; the roll-call vote was unanimous: Francesca — yes; Hart — yes; Montgomery — yes; Pruitt — yes; Phillips — yes.

Notes and next steps: The dump-truck vote was conditioned on a district inspection; the truck vendor quoted a 2024 unit and the board asked staff to verify mileage and condition in person before final purchase. The restroom project requires no further board action at this meeting following the approval.