School to Buy Computers, Vehicles
The GCISD board met July 16 and approved purchase of several vehicles. A 53-passenger bus ($69,900) will replace a 1989 model with 250,000 miles, and a second 18-passenger bus ($46,000) will be added to the fleet as a travel vehicle, helping move the school further away from the use of vans. Other vehicles slated for purchase are: a Gator utility vehicle ($6,950), a Grasshopper mower ($9,300) and a Mercury Marquis from White Motor Co. ($22,381). (Other car bids were from Robert Hall Chevrolet and Stephenville Chevrolet.) The total of $154,531 will be taken from the transportation portion of the bond monies.
The 18-passenger bus actually holds 14 after two rear seats are removed and an equipment cage installed. The old 53-passenger bus will have the school’s name removed, and will be placed on a statewide bid list, rather than being sold locally.
Bond funds will also be used to upgrade computers, and to provide “smart boards” and computer-connected projectors as teaching aids in classrooms. The computers in one of the three computer labs will be replaced, with the used machines going to upgrade classrooms. Technology coordinator Jerry Cannon plans to get things on a three-year rotation plan, so that the oldest equipment is phased out on a regular basis.
Lockers Can Wait, For Now
The board decided to hold off on replacing the high school lockers ($16,240) for the time being. They will make a decision on the lockers after other improvements are complete.
The board hired Denice Bradbury as a science teacher (see following profile.)
A change was made to the school’s student handbooks to require that a minimum of two grades be recorded in each class each week, with the exception of band and P.E. The rule applies to all levels, elementary and secondary. Several other, mostly minor, changes were made, so both parents and students should read the new handbooks carefully.
With only one bid submitted, the First National Bank of Sterling City was chosen as the school’s official depository for the next two years. Single maturity time deposits of more than $100,000 will draw interest at .50 below the “asked” rate on the T-Bill closest to the maturity date of the deposit. The bank requires that the school keep a $1million monthly average on deposit. All bank services are provided at no extra charge.