District approves student drug testing and stadium repairs

After months of investigating the best course of action, the Kimball Board of Education authorized School Superintendent Marshall Lewis to purchase the materials needed to seal the stadium.

“At this point the estimate is $25,000 to $35,000. That is our best guess at this time,” Lewis said. “We don’t know how much we are going to need.”

In addition to the undetermined amount of product necessary for the job, Lewis expressed concern that the bleachers are wood wrapped in aluminum.

“We have no idea what the wood underneath might look like,” he said.

“I think we are going to give you the leeway to explore the options, not to exceed $35,000 on the purchase of the products,” board president Lynn Vogel said.

After unanimous approval, the board also approved the proposal from Hays Roofing and Siding to complete the labor on the stadium at a cost of nearly $87,000.

The project will require all the stadium seating to be removed before the structure is sandblasted. All cracks and concrete expansion joints will be filled and the stadium sealed with GACO Flex products. A non-skid surface will be applied and then seating will be put back.

“We couldn’t find a less expensive way to go and salvage the stadium long-term,” Reader said.

While the measures approved at the meeting will address concerns of moisture under the stadium, the board has yet to approve measures to repair and update the concession stand and restrooms.

Additionally, the board awarded the bid for three 14-passenger buses from Wolf Automotive totaling $152,944.38, the most economical proposal.

“This actually wasn’t a bid process because when we incorporated all three of them we were beyond the $100,000 limit,” Lewis said. “There is a $130,000 budgeted towards buses.”

Lewis added that the bus chassis are expected in six weeks, at which time they will be shipped to Kearney and a Titan body will be added, taking up to another six weeks.

Conversations continue regarding the future of the aging buses that will be replaced with the new route buses.

The board updated policies for the coming year along and approved the updated handbooks for the coming school year.

One such policy, mandatory random drug testing of students, was reviewed and passed unanimously on the second reading.

Students in grades 7 – 12 who wish to participate in extra-curricular activities must have a signed consent for the test prior to involvement.

After completing further investigation, High School Principal Eugene Hanks suggested purchasing the testing kits from Western Pathology Consultants, Inc. (WPCI) and hire Kimball Health Services to conduct the tests.

Kimball Health Services reduced their price from $44.10 per test to $30, making them the most economical choice.