School Board Finalized Bus Purchase At Last Meeting Of 2016

Should Neligh-Oakdale buy one bus or two?

After much discussion, Neligh-Oakdale will purchase one bus this winter and consider adding a another new bus in the spring.  
 
Because there were no funds worked into the budget for new busses, the funds will come from the depreciation fund.
 
Board member Ryan Koinzan said he did not like the idea of paying part of it of the expense and then having a “balloon” payment. He suggested paying for the entire bus up front.

With payments, they would be paying approximately $6,000 in interest per bus. Koinzan said the one-time purchase of the busses would leave the board with knowing exactly what they still have.
 
The board turned to custodian Kurt Madsen, who drives the busses, to give his opinion on what size of bus would be best for the needs of the school. Vice president Brad Higgins, who was attending his last meeting as a board member since he did not seek re-election, asked whether a 59 or 65 passenger bus would be better, which Madsen said he recommended at least a 59-passenger bus.
 
Dave Wright suggested purchasing an International 59-passenger $80,000 in full and worrying about other bus at another time. Higgins then made the motion to approve the $80,000 purchase and Ronald Gilg seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
 
Higgins made a motion to give the superintendent the ability to say when and where the old busses go, which was passed unanimously.

Besides Higgins, Krista Schinder was also attending her last meeting as a board member. With Higgins and Schindler's departure, that leaves Kenny Reinke as the board member with the most experience following election. He was appointed in 2014 and elected to office later that year.  

Also at Monday's meeting, freshman Emma Bixler spoke on wasting food. As FCCLA environmental ambassador, she explained of ways that food waste can decrease. Eighth-grader Simon Beacom stood in front of the board and presented the need for handicapped accessibility at Neligh-Oakdale.
 
The meeting ended with a review of Superintendent Scott Gregory. Every member of the school board sent in a review. The results stated he met the expectations as superintendent in the first six months.