Board authorizes Suburban Water operator contract after resignation of facilities director; members seek one-year amendment and succession plan

The Boyertown Area School District Board of Directors approved a contract with Suburban Water Technology Inc. to supply licensed water and wastewater operator services after the resignation of the district's director of facilities, who had held required operator certifications.

Administration told the board that four district buildings operate on well water and require licensed operator oversight and that a number of required certifications changed in 2005; the former director had maintained those licenses and agreed to keep them through the end of the month to allow a transition. "With the departure of our former director of facilities who held a number of certifications within the district, we do have 4 buildings that operate off of well water and...we are going to need to contract with an outside contractor that will handle and have the operator license," administration said.

The Suburban Water proposal presented to the board included a monthly charge and annual contract totals. Administration said another local vendor could not serve the district's more distant school buildings and that Suburban Water could provide coverage; the annual cost cited for GPS/transportation items elsewhere was separate and not part of this contract. Board members raised questions about contract duration, monthly versus annual billing and whether the district could train or certify internal staff. Legal counsel and administration confirmed the proposed contract included a 30-day termination provision and that the district could approve the contract and later amend the term.

Board members repeatedly requested the administration pursue a shorter initial term and a succession plan to reduce ongoing outside contractor dependence. "I would suggest we approve it tonight and then modify the term to one year and work on a plan to create succession in-house," a board member said. Administration agreed to seek an amendment, noting timing is tight because coverage must be in place by July 1.

Discussion also reviewed that two district staff currently hold wastewater operator licenses for two buildings and that staff collect required samples in-house; administration said the oversight and testing required an operator license and that passing the licensing exams has proved challenging for internal candidates.

The board voted to approve the contract with Suburban Water Technology and instructed administration and legal counsel to work on contract clarifications, including converting the term to an initial one-year engagement if possible and returning with a revised contract for board review.