Board renews safety contract, approves concession and bereavement policies and greenlights weight‑room summer trial; playground work contingent on loan

At its regular meeting, the Siren School District board approved several contracts, rules and policies the board’s policy and finance committees had vetted.

The board renewed a shared‑services environmental health and safety contract (a CISA shared‑services agreement) that provides playground and indoor‑air‑quality consulting and hazardous‑waste disposal support. Board members said keeping a standing contract is cheaper and faster than hiring consultants on an ad‑hoc basis for emergent issues.

The board also approved a proposal to engage Rettler as the general contractor for a playground project, contingent on loan approval set for March 20; if the loan is approved staff were instructed to proceed with bidding and to allow local contractors to bid.

Policy changes adopted included Policy 457 on concession sales, which establishes a rotating sign‑up system for eligible groups to run the concession stand as a fundraising opportunity, and Policy 549 revising bereavement leave language to include family members that were accidentally omitted. The board adopted Rule 672.2 to coordinate purchasing with expected revenue distribution dates to avoid unnecessary short‑term borrowing.

Finally, the board approved a one‑year pilot to open the school weight room over the summer with paid staff for guaranteed hours, limited to enrolled students and staff; the board added an age clarifier to restrict access to sixth grade and up during the pilot.

All motions on these items carried by voice vote during the meeting; several were presented as committee recommendations.