A bit of cooperation between the city and school district led to a savings of $25,125.
The school district plans to install new lighting at the tennis court near Iola High School.
At a previous meeting, maintenance director Aaron Cole asked the board to approve one of two bids for the project, for nearly $59,000.
He said the district would need to work with the city to hook up electric services to the poles.
That prompted board member Tony Leavitt to ask if the city would be willing to help the district with additional site preparation.
Cole went back to the city and reached an agreement for help with digging holes and setting the poles on top of concrete columns. The district’s maintenance crew also could perform some of the work.
Cole asked bidders for an update without those costs, and recommended the board approve a bid from Game Day Lighting for $34,600.76, a savings of $25,125.
Leavitt expressed his appreciation for Cole and the city.
“It’s good we can work together on these projects,” he said.
IN OTHER financial matters, the board approved spending up to $800,000 on furniture for the new Iola Elementary School.
The actual cost is likely to be around $720,000, but it’s good to have a cushion considering increased costs and supply issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an architect for SJCF, Allison Le, said.
She encouraged the board to approve ordering the furniture now. Because of supply chain issues, it’s possible the furniture shipment could be delayed. It will still be a tight deadline, she said.
She said the board could wait another month or so before ordering playground equipment.
In an update on the school project, Board President Dan Willis said the district already had received its kitchen equipment and was storing it in a warehouse.
He also said parts of the building are fully enclosed and being climate conditioned for heating and cooling before final finishes are installed.
