The Lone Tree School Board met at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 for a scheduled special session and workshop. It was held in the superintendent’s office.

The board spent most of this time in the workshop with new business. The new business included a discussion of obsolete equipment, possible summer projects, 600 series, Revenue Purpose Statement information and a superintendent update, most briefly skimmed over.

In context to these issues, the board discussed how Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) and Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) funds should be used.

The big focus was on obsolete items and summer projects. Having a list of items that need to be repaired or purchased with an estimated cost of $457,089. They came up with these numbers by doing online research and reviewing previous years.

The board wants to spend it’s ESSER allowance before spending out of PPEL since ESSER is federal money that will disappear after Sep. 2024, if not spent beforehand. Anything spent out of the ESSER account is not taxpayers’ dollars. They have $252,480 in their ESSER fund. With the three combined funds, they have more than enough to handle all their necessary purchases.

Some items on the list were motors for basketball hoops, repairing the roof of the old kitchen, network wiring, and a 12-passenger van. 

Every item brought to the attention of the board was accepted with just two contentions: the board debated about the admin’s office receiving new cabinets and if the playground should move away from mulch.

The cabinets in the admin’s office need to be moved for cleaning, and it is unclear if they will survive after being moved because of old age. Some board members felt it to be unnecessary to replace them since it will not benefit children and the estimated $25,000 could be spent elsewhere.

The mulch is a recurring purchase every year at roughly $2,500. The board thought about replacing it with recycled rubber, which would be more expensive but since it is supposed to last for 12 years, would be a saved cost over time. The rubber might even be safer for the children, and it would prevent mulch from leaving the playground as it does now.

The board spent more than half of their time discussing the possibility of giving staff a one-time payment using ESSER funds. They talked about the logistics, the amount, and the importance of retention. They will vote on this topic at their next meeting. If it is approved, they’d like staff to get the payment before or during spring break.

The meeting began with a special session that lasted roughly three minutes. A corporate resolution sent by the bank was approved. The board also approved temporary board secretary, Renee Williams.

The next Lone Tree school board meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the school library.