Board approves child‑nutrition contracts, dishwasher purchase and workers’ compensation renewal

The Ohio County Board of Education approved several procurement and budget items on June 23, including a $1,574,460 produce contract for the National School Lunch Program, a $92,054 purchase of a Hobart dishwashing machine from National Equipment Company, and renewal of the district’s workers’ compensation policy.

District staff reported the produce bid was the only submitted bid and recommended acceptance of the $1,574,460 award; the board approved the recommendation unanimously. Staff also reported National Equipment Company as the winning bidder for a dish machine at $92,054, funded by the National School Lunch Program and the district’s general fund; the board unanimously approved that purchase.

On workers’ compensation, district staff stated the total policy premium for the coming fiscal year will be $347,436, which staff said is roughly $40,000 less than the current year and about $80,000 less than fiscal year 2023 levels. The superintendent recommended re‑approving Encova Insurance; the board approved the renewal unanimously. Board members credited safety trainings, on‑the‑job accommodations and quarterly reviews as factors reducing claims.

Members also pulled budget supplement items for brief discussion and questioned line‑item details such as supplies for a $25,000 WPHS demonstration grant and partial Siemens retainage payments for cameras and key‑card readers. Staff said most budget supplements came from the West Virginia Department of Education and explained installment billing and SBA reimbursement processes for roofing payments.

The meeting record shows the motions and approvals for these items and that several paid bills (including $31,436 raised privately for the robotics program) were reviewed during the paid‑bills section.