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Tonganoxie school board briefs

By Lisa Scheller - | Nov 16, 2005

Defibrillator training set

Tonganoxie public schools are equipped with automatic external defibrillators. Darren Neas, junior high assistant principal, told school board members Monday that school nurses already know how to use the devices and that coaches and administrators soon will undergo training.

According to the American Heart Association Web site, an AED is a computerized medical device that can check a person’s heart rhythm.It can recognize a rhythm that requires a shock. And it can advise a rescuer when a shock is needed.he AED uses voice prompts, lights and text messages to tell the rescuer the steps to take.

Training also will be available to teachers.

Board member Richard Dean asked if the school’s insurance policy would cover use of AEDs.

Neas said the use of AEDs is covered, as is the implementation of cardio pulmonary resuscitation.

Board member Ron Moore noted that the equipment has already been purchased. Neas, who said Basehor-Linwood and Piper schools also have AEDs, said the school district bought the three units for $1,700 each.

Bob Dehoff made a motion to accept the Kansas Association of School Boards policy on the use of AEDs. The motion passed.

According to the policy, district employees who use the AED must have completed all training and be able to demonstrate a proficiency in the use of an AED. The policy explains protocol that must be followed when using the AED, what information must be given to emergency medical workers when they arrive. And it tells what to do afterward as far as writing a report and maintenance of the AED.

Two meetings scheduled

Tonganoxie school board members scheduled two special meetings. Board members will meet at 5:30 Thursday to possibly accept a plumbing bid on the new middle school. And, board members will meet at 7 p.m. Nov. 28 to interview candidates who have applied for an open seat on the board. So far, only one person, local resident Shelly McGhee, has applied. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 28.

District pays member

Board member Darlyn Hansen left the room, citing conflict of interest concerns, when the school board voted on the consent agenda items, which included approval of November bills.

Hansen’s company, Micro Resources, is working for the district to buy items for the new school buildings. Superintendent Richard Erickson has described this as the district’s “competitive purchasing plan.” Hansen is Micro Resources’ sole employee.

The board approved these payments to the firm: $964 for paper towel dispensers the company purchased, $525 for a commercial dishwasher and $592 in consulting fees. Erickson has explained previously that the consulting fees essentially are Hansen’s salary for the purchasing he’s doing on the district’s behalf.

Snow clearing contract

At the advice of Superintendent Richard Erickson, board members Monday approved a snow removal bid from Bennett Paving. Bennett’s bid — the lowest of four — was $750 for a snowfall of 2 to 4 inches; $875 for a snowfall of 5 to 7 inches; and $1,000 for 8 inches or deeper.

Rec commission update

Ken Mark, chairman of the Tonganoxie Recreation Commission, talked to school board members about the possibility of the rec commission building playing fields near the new middle school, on school property.

“If we could build three ball fields, we would put lights on them and make them top rate. We would probably have a concession stand too,” Mark said, drawing chuckles when he told board members, “This would not happen overnight because we do not have an unlimited budget like you guys do.”

Mark said the recreation commission needs additional playing fields.

“If the school would provide the land, the rec commission would do the work,” Mark said.

Board member Ron Moore asked, “If you build those fields who do you think would own them?”

Mark said the rec commission can’t own property.

Moore replied, “We don’t want to have issues. Anything that would be on that 80 acres, in my opinion, would belong to the school district — of course you would want access to it.”

Mark agreed, saying, “Yes, and we would certainly maintain those fields.”

Mark also said the city was in need of a community building to possibly house a public gymnasium as well as an indoor swimming pool. He mentioned the possibility of buying the Masonic Lodge building and property, which is in the 300 block of Delaware, just north of City Hall.

Construction update

Kris Roberts, construction manager for the district’s building and renovation projects, updated board members on work.

Roberts said 95 percent of footings had been poured for the new middle school. Next week the structure material for the middle school gym will arrive on site, and when that goes up, area residents will be able to see the construction from Washington Street. Roberts said workers broke ground at the high school a week ago. Two construction engineers are working out of a trailer at the high school.

“We’ll be able to start putting in storm structures and the storm piping we need probably by next week,” Roberts said of the progress at the high school.

Board members voted to accept the $39,200 bid from Theissen Krupp for hydraulic lifts for an elevator in the high school.

Action on personnel

After meeting for 80 minutes in executive session, citing personnel matters, board members:

  • Accepted resignations of Christine Janssen and Lisa Andersen as bus drivers.
  • Hired TJHS boys basketball coaches Dave McKee, Matt Egging and Mark Mull.
  • Hired THS baseball assistant coaches Mark Elston and Alan Diehl.
  • Hired Luanna Lingo as elementary school classroom paraeducator.