Playground upgrades discussed; Garr's election win confirmed

The election results are official and unchanged. Dr. Ben Garr has earned a seat on the Carrington School Board effective July 1.

The board met on Monday, June 19 for a regular meeting and canvassed the June 6 election results. Angela Kutz was re-elected to another term as a rural member, and Ben Garr was declared the winner of the three-year, at-large term with 50 write-in votes.

The Foster County Independent was also reinstated as the official newspaper for publication of minutes after voters gave a unanimous “yes” to having minutes published for the next two years.

Elementary Principal Jenna Helseth presented a playground upgrade proposal to the board, with an estimated $70,000 cost to the district. The new equipment would be installed between the four-square and basketball court in an open green space. The goal is to make the playground more accessible to students with disabilities.

The plans call for a 3-section zipline or glider, as well as a new bay of swings, each with one accessible bucket seat. The total project cost, based on a quote from Dakota Playground, is $85,000.

Helseth said East Central has grant funds available, which would cover one-third of the zipline cost as well as the bucket seat swing. With the funds, the actual cost to Carrington totals $70,000 to help make the playground more accessible.

The quote does not include the cost of a wheelchair ramp. No action was taken on the matter.

Helseth also reported that veteran educator Ardis Williams received the Mary Scheck Service to Children Award, which is voted on by peers and colleagues. She has been with the district for 40 years.

Board members also reviewed two bids for a new route bus.

Harlow’s offered a 42-passenger bus with optional block heater for $126,775.

I-State quoted a 44-passenger model with a few added options including a 100-gallon tank, a block heater and LED lights for approximately $137,650.

The delivery dates were about the same for both – late 2023 or early 2024.

After reviewing the materials, board members expressed interest in seats shown with three seat belts on the Harlow’s bus materials. Helm made a call to the I-State rep, Brett, to inquire about their capabilities.

I-State offers a “3-2 flex” seat option, he explained. The bus I-State quoted has 11 seats on each side, each 36 inches wide with two seat belts. The flex seats are 39 inches wide and can be built with three seat belts, for a potential capacity of 66 students.

Board members agreed that having the additional capacity would be beneficial, especially considering the growing enrollment and full bus routes.

Action on the bids was tabled for more information and a quote from I-State showing the cost of the bus with the flex seats.

The board did, however, move forward with part of a proposal from YHR Partners Architectural Planning of Moorhead, Minn.

Part I was a construction services agreement for replacement of windows in the high school building.

“The windows definitely need to be looked at,” Helm said. She noted that energy loss was a factor, driving up heating and cooling costs.

Board members agreed that the $22,000 cost, which included “construction documents, bidding and construction phase services” was worth the money to see the project through.

“You can’t tell people what you’re doing unless you have a really good plan,” said member Kevin Wolsky, who made the motion to approve.

In the second part of the agreement, YHR offered to engage in a “planning study” for a new office configuration and secure entry for the high school. The cost for the study only was $12,500, with the understanding that the district would need to sign another agreement with them for construction services if and when they would decide to move forward with construction plans. No action was taken on Part 2.

Other tidbits from the late evening meeting:

• The district continues to search for an assistant boys’ golf, assistant girls’ track coach and junior high girls’ wrestling coach.

• According to CHS Athletic Director Karla Michaelson, three-class volleyball is coming. The committee got the 60 percent support required for the NDHSAA board to formally consider the proposal. She said she may schedule matches with more Class A schools this fall, and the makeup of the four tournaments CHS hosts may change.

• The new minibus is on schedule for October or November delivery and the activity bus is expected to come in mid to late-December.

• Final enrollment for the 2022-23 school year totaled 606 students in grades K-12. There were 352 in elementary and 254 in the high school, Superintendent Janelle Helm noted. With 38 in pre-K, the district’s total enrollment was 644 students.

The next meeting is set for Tuesday, July 11 at 7 p.m.