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Hardy County Schools board weighs flooring and energy costs, hears bus-safety and electric-bus update; approves two personnel appointments
Summary
Trustees discussed Moorefield Elementary flooring quotes, a bus accident and state-offered electric buses, debated high utility bills and possible solar options, and approved two central-office hires (one unanimous, one 3–2).
The Hardy County Board of Education reviewed maintenance and transportation updates at its Feb. 3 meeting, including initial flooring quotes for Moorefield Elementary, recent bus-safety incidents, and an opportunity for a state‑provided electric bus that would require the district to pay for charging infrastructure.
Josh (maintenance and transportation) told trustees he had one formal flooring quote so far and that other contractors were requesting site photos and measurements before quoting; board members pressed staff for references and suggested soliciting multiple bids. Josh said the district must prepare concrete and expansion joints carefully for the proposed floor, and trustees discussed alternative flooring options and donor outreach to cover costs if possible.
Trustees were briefed on two recent transportation incidents in which drivers reported people failing to stop for buses; one bus struck a metal mailbox that was later welded back into place and the driver’s drug test was negative. On the electric-bus offer, Josh said the state provided buses free of purchase cost but the district would be responsible for installing a charger and a 200‑amp breaker. “The allowance that we will receive from just that one bus is like having three and a half brand new buses on the line because of the cost,” he said, arguing the capital value could offset the charger expense.
Board members raised safety and operational questions after reports that three electric buses burned at a Virginia charging station during a cold snap; trustees discussed training mechanics and drivers on regenerative braking and weighed whether to accept and operate an electric bus given potential battery risks and charger costs.
The board also spent substantial time on utility costs, with trustees noting unusually high electricity bills (figures cited around $34,000 for a billing period). District staff said they had locked in a solar evaluation and recommended issuing a bid to multiple vendors to assess rooftop versus solar-field and geothermal options; several trustees urged waiting for clarity on state funding before committing to a major capital project.
After an executive session on personnel and legal matters, the board approved a slate of personnel actions. The board unanimously approved Emily Thorn as director of the Child Nutrition Program (effective Feb. 24) by a 5–0 vote. A separate appointment — Harley Orin Staggers to a human-resources post — passed 3–2; the chair read the roll call naming Melvin, Roy and the chair as the yes votes and Janet and Doug as the no votes.
Votes at a glance: - Consent items (minutes from 01/21/2025): approved by voice vote 5–0. - Student attendance policy (state-supplied draft): approved by voice vote 5–0 after trustees resolved formatting questions. - Emily Thorn, director of Child Nutrition Program (effective 02/24/2024): approved 5–0. - Harley Orin Staggers, human‑resources appointment (effective 02/04/2025): approved 3–2 (I’s: Melvin, Roy, Chair; Nays: Janet, Doug).
Board members asked staff to monitor utility data for several months, to solicit competitive bids on solar options, and to return with refined cost estimates before pursuing major energy projects. The meeting adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
