Luxemburg-Casco board approves two in‑stock buses, selects contractor for track resurfacing and accepts donated turf for middle‑school cage

The Luxemburg‑Casco School District Board of Education on Aug. 18 approved several operational items and received updates on district finances and facility needs, voting to buy two in‑stock buses, to move ahead with resurfacing the high‑school track, and to accept turf and equipment donated by a community group for use in a middle‑school practice room.

Board action came after staff presented the district’s 2024–25 year‑end actuals and a series of project and program requests. The board approved revisions to the district’s 2024–25 EOY (end‑of‑year) budget, authorized purchase of two in‑stock buses from Ascendance Truck Center (formerly Mid State), selected Rettler Corporation as the recommended vendor for track resurfacing (staff recommended a polyurethane surface based on a 20‑year cost comparison), and accepted batting‑cage turf and related equipment from the LCUSO for use in a middle‑school room under an agreement to return the equipment if the district later revokes the room’s use.

Why it matters: the purchases and facility approvals affect transportation capacity, long‑term maintenance costs for outdoor athletic facilities and the availability of an indoor practice facility for youth sports and district teams. The budget revisions and year‑end figures also influence the district’s fund balance and its planning ahead of a future referendum discussion.

Votes at a glance

- Purchase of two in‑stock buses from Ascendance Truck Center (Mid State): motion made and seconded; vote recorded as carried. Motion text in transcript: “I will make a motion to purchase the 2 in stock buses from the sentence, otherwise known as mid state.” (motion seconded; “Motion carried.”)

- UW System early college enrollments (two additional student course approvals): motion made and seconded; carried.

- Approval of 2024–25 EOY (end‑of‑year) budget revisions (EOI budget revisions): motion by board member Dave; seconded; motion carried.

- Approval to send out an RFP for a district strategic plan: motion made; seconded; motion carried.

- Approval of bids/purchase of two in‑stock buses (decision to buy two buses on dealer lots rather than ordering): motion carried.

- Track resurfacing (award to Rettler Corporation, recommended polyurethane surface): motion by Robin; seconded by Alex; vote carried. Staff recommended polyurethane on a 20‑year cost basis and recommended Rettler as the contractor.

- Acceptance/use of LCUSO‑provided batting‑cage turf and equipment for the middle‑school room: motion and seconded; motion carried. The board agreed that if the district later revokes use of the room the equipment would be returned to LCUSO (per the district’s donation/loan discussion recorded in the meeting).

What the board heard and how members explained decisions

Budget and year‑end results: staff reported the 2024–25 audit was complete and that the district ended the year with revenues above initial estimates and underexpended expenses overall. Staff summarized that the district’s final position included an estimated surplus and that some funds were carried forward for 2025–26 (staff: “the audit is complete,” Staff member Rebecca). The board discussed how earlier timing of budget revisions (submitting them in June) could produce a more accurate July 1 state aid estimate from the Department of Revenue and DPI.

Transportation and buses: staff outlined three vendor options and recommended buying two buses already on dealer lots (one without a luggage box, one with) rather than placing an order with uncertain future price increases. After discussion the board approved purchasing the two in‑stock buses; staff noted the buses offered air conditioning and that warranty timing tied to delivery was a district consideration.

Track resurfacing: facilities staff reviewed vendor proposals for latex versus polyurethane track surfacing, presenting a 20‑year cost comparison showing polyurethane with higher upfront cost but lower 20‑year lifecycle costs. Facilities lead Neil described the durability differences and recommended polyurethane and Rettler Corporation as the vendor (Neil: “my recommendation would be polyurethane” and later: “I would recommend Rettler”). The board approved moving forward with the polyurethane option and Rettler.

Batting‑cage turf donation and gym/room use: a community group, identified in the meeting as LCUSO, offered to install turf and batting‑cage equipment in a middle‑school room. The group said it would coordinate installation and asked for permission to use the room; the board approved the request but recorded that donated equipment becomes district property unless an explicit loan arrangement is made. The board agreed to a written agreement that, if the district later revokes use of the room, LCUSO equipment would be returned (recorded in the meeting: “If at any point, the district decides to revoke use of that room, LCOSO will be returned the equip.”).

Other approvals and discussion items: the board approved minor personnel/consent items, JV2 coaching salary alignment, activity account setup for the class of 2029, approval of seasonal coach stipends, and two additional UW‑system early college course enrollments. The board also authorized issuing an RFP for a district strategic plan to help shape referendum planning and long‑range priorities.

Selected direct quotes from the meeting

- Staff member Rebecca on the audit and year‑end numbers: “Well, the audit is complete.”

- Public commenter Brian Grimm introducing himself and his group: “My name is Brian Grimm. Address is N 3714 DK Line Road, affiliated here with the LCUSO Southwell Organization.”

- Facilities lead Neil on the resurfacing recommendation: “my recommendation would be polyurethane.”

- On the donation/return arrangement (recorded exchange): “If at any point, the district decides to revoke use of that room, LCOSO will be returned the equip.”

Ending

Board members set several committee meeting dates (buildings & grounds, policy) and noted the next special meeting with municipalities on Sept. 17 and the regular board meeting to follow. Staff said they will circulate the RFP and vendor proposals to the board for review before returning a formal recommendation. The board adjourned to closed session late in the meeting.