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Glenwood City board approves John Deere grounds tractor after years of equipment failures
Summary
The board approved buying a commercial-grade John Deere tractor to replace an aging Bobcat/UTV and other failing grounds equipment; trustees emphasized a preventative maintenance plan after discussing repeated breakdowns and quoted vendor figures for replacement.
Glenwood City — The Glenwood City School District board voted to approve purchase of a commercial-grade John Deere tractor to replace aging grounds equipment after trustees described repeated failures of older machines and debated long-term maintenance.
Superintendent explained the recommendation to choose a John Deere commercial model because of its attachments and track record with similar municipal and commercial uses. He told the board that attempts to repair the current Bobcat/UTV were unlikely to be durable: "We don't think it would keep up," he said of repairing the Bobcat and argued a commercial-grade tractor would better meet the district's needs.
Board members pressed for a plan to ensure the new equipment is maintained. One board member asked for details on preventive maintenance and historical upkeep to ensure the district does not return to high replacement costs in a few years. The superintendent acknowledged gaps in past maintenance and said he has set protocols to improve oversight.
Cost discussion: trustees reviewed multiple quotes for comparable models. A board member referenced a quote that "has the 64,000," and the superintendent characterized the contemplated purchase as a roughly $60,000 commercial purchase in line with other districts' investments. The board discussed selling the existing Bobcat and attachments to recoup funds.
A motion to approve the tractor purchase was made, seconded and passed on a voice vote. Trustees instructed administrators to prioritize warranty, vendor support and a preventive maintenance plan to extend the machine's service life.
Why it matters: Grounds equipment is critical for building safety and operations during winter and affects maintenance budgets. Board members framed the vote as a response to operational failures and a broader effort to change procurement and maintenance culture.
Administrators said they will seek the lowest responsive bid among the quoted John Deere dealerships, pursue disposition of the obsolete Bobcat and return with a maintenance plan and exact financing details at a future meeting.
