Bond projects, buses and scoreboard: board hears cost pressures but moves key purchases toward December vote
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Summary
The board reviewed bond project updates — Explorer project bids exceeded estimates — and discussed purchasing replacement buses, snow equipment, HVAC work and a new scoreboard; high school paving bids came in below estimates and the board will consider several bond-funded purchases in December.
Board members received updates on multiple capital projects funded by the 2024 bond. Superintendent Adam described Explorer as the ballot’s flagship project but said bids exceeded original estimates; the district has already reduced scope in other bond line items and is prioritizing larger spaces for bond funding.
On transportation, Adam reiterated a 10-year replacement strategy and cautioned that some older buses have unreliable transmissions; the board discussed driver shortages and rotation to maintain a reserve bus. The group agreed to consider a December action to purchase replacement buses to lock in current pricing.
Other items discussed included snow removal equipment purchased from bond maintenance funds, planned bids for a full HVAC project with the pool unit already approved, and a proposed NEVCO scoreboard for the track/football complex (preferred mid-priced option with about a 15-year life and a 7-year warranty). Paige Paulson will present more educational/operational context in December when the scoreboard returns for action.
Why it matters: cost overruns on the Explorer project will require trade-offs across the bond program; replacement buses and equipment are operationally necessary to maintain safety and continuity.