Lewis Central board approves high-school fire alarm RFP, weight-room overhaul, van purchase and budget guarantee

The Lewis Central Community School District Board of Directors on March 3 approved multiple safety, facilities and budget actions, including moving forward with a replacement high‑school fire alarm system, a planned renovation of the high‑school weight room and purchase of a used 12‑passenger van.

The board opened a public hearing under Iowa Code section 26.12 for a public improvement project to replace the high‑school fire alarm system, which district staff said is obsolete and requires replacement to meet current code and messaging requirements. District presenters placed an estimated total cost at about $250,000 and said the work would be paid from bond dollars already set aside for safety and security. The board voted to approve the fire‑alarm specifications and release the RFP as presented.

Why it matters: district officials told the board that parts for the current system are no longer produced, that some sensors are not functioning and that modern systems require voice‑message and visual notification capabilities the current installation lacks. Replacing the system will require design, bidding and summer installation, district staff said.

Body and other actions - Weight room equipment: The board approved a motion to purchase new weight‑room equipment from Push Pedal Pull for $168,007, a purchase district staff described as the first phase of replacing piecemeal, secondhand equipment with a matched set designed to improve safety and sightlines. Staff said the district has been setting aside funds for two years and that the purchase is intended to serve students for decades; some existing bumper plates and other durable items will be retained and reallocated to the middle school. The board approved the purchase in a recorded vote.

- Weight room flooring: The board approved a separate bid for weight‑room flooring to Kelly’s Carpet. Two bids were presented; district staff recommended the Kelly’s Carpet option. The motion to accept the Kelly’s Carpet bid passed.

- Van purchase: The board voted to approve the purchase of a previously owned 2022 Chevrolet 3500, 12‑passenger van from Edwards Auto for $37,490 (trade allowance applied). District staff said used 12‑passenger vans with low miles are rare and the vehicle price was considered favorable.

- Budget guarantee resolution: The board adopted a resolution to levy property tax for the district’s regular‑program budget adjustment under section 257.14 of the Code of Iowa. The superintendent and business staff said the district is eligible under state guidance and that the initial maximum property‑tax figure was set to $20,785,821 for submission to the county auditor; staff noted the figure is the high‑end placeholder until final state aid numbers are known. The board set the first required public hearing on the budget for April 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Education Resource Center.

- Employee leaves: Following a closed‑session review under Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(a), the board approved two employee leave requests (one unpaid leave and one request for other paid leave) as presented in closed session.

Votes at a glance - Approve high‑school fire‑alarm specs and RFP as presented — outcome: approved (unanimous yes recorded). - Approve purchase of weight‑room equipment from Push Pedal Pull for $168,007 — outcome: approved (unanimous yes recorded). - Approve weight‑room flooring bid to Kelly’s Carpet — outcome: approved (unanimous yes recorded). - Approve purchase of 2022 Chevy 12‑passenger van from Edwards Auto for $37,490 — outcome: approved (unanimous yes recorded). - Adopt budget guarantee resolution and set initial maximum property tax at $20,785,821 and public hearing for 04/07/2025 at 6 p.m. — outcome: approved (unanimous yes recorded). - Approve employee A unpaid leave — outcome: approved (unanimous yes recorded). - Approve employee B other paid leave — outcome: approved (unanimous yes recorded).

Context and next steps: District staff said the fire‑alarm RFP will go to bid, with installation anticipated this summer. The weight‑room work will include removal of existing equipment, remediation where needed (staff raised potential moisture/mold concerns), repainting and new lighting; some serviceable equipment will be moved to the middle school, and unusable items will be surplused. The board will hold the statutorily required hearings on the property‑tax levy in April before certifying the final levy.

No public comments were offered during the fire‑alarm hearing.