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Salina, Kan., School Board Plans for New Equipment, Building Improvements

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 February 2006, 18:00 CST

By Michael Strand, The Salina Journal, Kan.

Feb. 15--A plan for equipment replacement, building improvements and repairs -- and the fact that there's less money than before for those kind of things -- were outlined to Salina School Board members at their meeting Tuesday evening.

Ken Kennedy, director of operations for the district, outlined a five-year plan for capital improvements and vehicle replacements throughout the district, including each building's assessment of how important the projects are.

Currently, the district levies 4 mills for capital improvements, generating about $1.6 million annually. From that money, Kennedy outlined a plan that included $708,750 in capital spending for next year -- ranging from setting aside $195,000 each year for roof replacements to $300 for concrete around downspouts at Schilling Elementary. On top of that, he's recommending replacement of several district vehicles next year -- the newest of which are 16 years old -- for a total of $225,000.

And those figures don't include any spending for replacement of computers and other technology, which had come from a now-expired 1/4-percent city sales tax for the past several years.

"Since we don't have the sales tax money any more, that's got to come out of this fund, too," Kennedy told the board.

Board vice president Carol Brandert, noting that carpet replacement was on the list for various schools, asked whether a more-durable floor covering could be used.

Kennedy said it could in some cases, but not at Salina South High School, where the open floor-plan makes noisier tile floors impractical.

Brandert also pointed out several instances on the list for tile repair, sealing and caulking cracks and tuck-pointing bricks -- many on buildings built in just the past few years.

"Why in the world are we doing this so soon?" she asked.

Kennedy said that in some cases, the problem is settling, which can be expected in new buildings. In other cases, the problem is settling at the point where an old building joins a new addition.

"You have to maintain your technology, you have to maintain facilities, and you have to maintain your equipment, and right now, you don't have the resources to do that," he said.

Brandert said spending money on maintenance now would save the district money in the long run.

"I think the biggest misuse of public funds is deferred maintenance," Kennedy agreed.

In other business, Salina Area Technical School director Duane Custer outlined a plan for increased tuition and fees at the school for the 2006-2007 school year.

Under the plan, which the board will discuss further at its Feb. 28 meeting, tuition would increase from $2 a hour to $2.20 a hour for all programs, while fees for various programs would see increases of between $20 and $50 a year, depending on the expense of materials in the program.

Overall, the cost of a year at SATS would increase between $251 and $281.

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To see more of The Salina Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.saljournal.com.

Copyright (c) 2006, The Salina Journal, Kan.

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Source: The Salina Journal

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