Jay Curtis

A $625,900 bid by Hellas Construction to replace the high school football field turf was unanimously approved during the Sept. 13 Park County School District 1 meeting.

During the board meeting, Support Services Coordinator Rob McCray told board members Hellas Construction installed the original turf 10 years ago and the surface was found to be in good condition by two turf companies including Hellas Construction despite being two years past warranty. Superintendent Jay Curtis added that “the longer you go [past warranty] the higher the likelihood that you end up having real issues.” These increased issues would increase the cost of replacement.

Funding for the turf replacement comes from the 10% major maintenance funds which had been used for the original turf installation, the replacement had been expected and saved for over the previous years. No general funds will be used in the process.

“We have about $1.2 million in our 10% [major maintenance fund] so we’ll be covered twice that,” McCray said.

The bid will also cover an added Powell Panther logo and soccer lines as well as a G-Max test following installation. The test will use a cylinder to drop a 20-pound block and record how fast the turf stops the acceleration. The G-Max test, which is an additional $3,000, is a precaution that will help prevent injury, said superintendent Jay Curtis.

Trustee Greg Borcher pointed out that following the original installation the expected price of reinstallation was over $1 million, “so this is kind of a bargain.”

PCSD1 also already has all necessary equipment to maintain the turf, which includes redistributing the rubber on the turf and mending tears.

New paras

The board voted to add a temporary full-time paraeducator at both Westside and Parkside elementary schools. Special Services Director Ginger Sleep explained the need for the additional positions in order to meet IEP requirements for select students who need additional paraeducator support. The positions were approved unanimously although Sleep and Curtis noted that does not mean they can find people to fill the positions.

“Sometimes when they’re full time those hours and things sometimes are attractors,” Sleep said.

She added that sometimes parents will apply to fill these positions and that all paraeducators are provided with as much training as possible and benefit from the already existing team who would help them be successful.

Other items

The board also accepted donations and heard an annual update by Technology Coordinator Mike Reed. Reed’s presentation focused on last year’s focus on out of classroom technology and smart sensors that among other actions detect whether or not vaping is taking place in the schools.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.