Only $31,671 remains in the Tonganoxie school district’s local option budget fund, said Richard Erickson, superintendent.

“That’s not very much to close out the fiscal year with,” he said. “I’m hopeful we can hold the line on that.”

The district’s capital outlay fund has $27,646 in it which can be used for emergency expenditures through the end of the school year, Erickson said. Taking this into consideration, he projected that at the end of the school year the district would have a balance of $238,857 in the capital outlay fund. That’s not a lot of money to have on hand in case of emergencies, Erickson said.

“A $200,000 balance on an $8 million budget is low,” he said. Erickson noted the district’s likely replacement of a heating and air conditioning system in the elementary school would cost about $55,000.

“We also have boilers that will need to be replaced in a few years, and we have a walk-in freezer at the elementary school that I’m afraid is on its last leg,” Erickson said. “These are just a few of the things and $200,000 doesn’t go very far when you think of our needs right now.”

Insurance specs received board approval

School board members approved insurance specifications for property casualty and worker compensation policies. Richard Erickson, superintendent, said the district could distribute the specifications to local bidders, as well as to other insurance agencies that have contacted the school in the last two or three years. Board member Ron Moore suggested that the district also place an ad in The Mirror.

“I think we ought to make it public knowledge and then whoever is reading our official paper and wants to bid can bid,” Moore said.

Erickson said that the district would likely pay an insurance premium of about $105,000 for the total package.

Board to pay for Liberty Bowl transportation

Board members unanimously approved a request by Tonganoxie band instructor Charles VanMiddlesworth to pay for transportation for THS band members to attend the Liberty Bowl, held in Memphis, Tenn. The students will leave Tonganoxie Dec. 27 and return on Jan. 1.

VanMiddlesworth said the total cost of using two 57-passenger buses for six days would be $7,200.

Quisenberry takes seat on foundation board

The board appointed Calvin Quisenberry to serve on the USD 464 Education Foundation. Quisenberry will replace Bob Kasper, who moved to Lawrence.

Board members reviewed bids for the replacement of a rooftop heating and air conditioning system at Tonganoxie Elementary School. They approved an equipment bid from Engineered Air for $46,168, and an installation bid from Automated Control Systems for $7,120.

Following an executive session, board members:

Approved all certified tenured teachers at the elementary, high school and junior high schools.

Approved the recommended certified non-tenured teachers at the elementary, high school and junior high schools.

Hired Jared Walters as an assistant baseball coach.

Authorized advertising for a third softball coach.