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Lewis Central board approves equipment purchases, handbook changes and denies three open-enrollment requests
Summary
The board voted unanimously Aug. 19 to approve several equipment purchases (welding, office dividers, commons AV, stadium audio), engage bond counsel, approve Titan Hill handbook updates, and denied three open-enrollment requests for Students A, B and C.
At the Aug. 19 meeting, the Lewis Central Comm School District board approved a series of operational purchases and policy updates and denied three open-enrollment requests after the board met in open session and followed required procedures for confidential items.
Key votes: Board member Mister Houston moved and the board approved a $50,524.89 purchase from Matheson to add nine welders (joining three machines already purchased through Perkins) to reach 12 welders total and expand capacity to as many as 24 students in the welding program. The board approved an office divider bid from Scoochy for $30,494.65 to create two lockable office spaces for HR and finance needs. The board approved a KCAV bid for $29,331.90 to install a drop-down screen, projector and local audio in the high-school commons. The board also approved audio equipment work from TMS for $43,913.83 to replace failing outdoor stadium speakers and amps and to lock critical mixer settings. The board approved a letter of engagement for bond counsel with Eller and Cooney and accepted presented updates to the Titan Hill handbook clarifying classroom-vs-office referrals and expanding restorative practices.
Why it matters: The welding purchase directly expands CTE capacity at the high school; common-area AV and stadium audio purchases aim to improve event and performance experiences and rental potential; the office divider purchase addresses confidentiality and space constraints in central administration. The handbook changes affect student disciplinary categorization and parent notifications at Titan Hill and Kreft.
Public comment and debate: A member of the public raised concerns about the office divider cost and potential hidden expenses (electrician, HVAC impacts) and urged the board to consider alternate spaces; administration said samples and product details were reviewed and that electrical work would largely be handled in-house. During discussion of the welding purchase, administration said the intent was to "rip off the band aid" and fully open the program so no interested students are shut out.
Open-enrollment requests: The board moved to deny open-enrollment requests for Student A, Student B and Student C; each denial was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
The board adjourned after confirming future meeting and forum dates.
