Board raises lunch prices, sets salary
RANDOLPH – The Randolph Public Schools board approved the purchase of additional security cameras for both the elementary and high school buildings.
Superintendent Daryl Schrunk said more coverage is needed to protect the millions of dollars worth of equip ment and furniture in the facilities.
The board approved an estimate of $22,285 by DSN Security, Hartington, for the project which includes the new cameras, an upgraded channel receiver, associated cables and equipment, and the install.
Schrunk plans to use annual Rural Education Achievement Program funds made available in July to pay for the security upgrades.
The security cameras was the only purchase approved by the board during the two-hour regular board meeting Monday night but not the only financial item considered.
The board formally set Schrunk’s salary at $144,300 for his second year as superintendent and approved a 10-cent increase in school meal prices.
New prices for the 2024-25 school year will be $3.25 for elementary lunch; $3.50 for high school lunch; $2.55 for student breakfast; $3.30 for adult breakfast; $4.60 for adult lunch; and $1.50 for individual items.
The majority of Monday night’s meeting was spent reviewing policy and handbook updates which will be finalized at the board’s July meeting but the school board was also informed about facility improvement projects taking place over the summer.
Last month, the school district approved the purchase of 110 N. Pierce St., the corner lot west of the current ag building. The property, owned by Jerry’s Hilltop, sold for $10,000.
Since that time, an inspection was done at the property that identified 23 linear feet of pipe containing asbestos that needs to be abated.
Environmental Services Inc., Norfolk, is currently performing asbestos abatement at Randolph Elementary and will do the work at 110 N. Pierce St. for free, Schrunk said.
Larry Janssen, Randolph, will then take out the trees on the property and demolish the home. Rock will be laid for parking with an option to pave the space at a later date, Schrunk said.
The elementary school is about four weeks into its asbestos abatement project and also will be completing a fence project at the playground this summer.
Other regular maintenance and updates are underway at the high school, said High School Principal Brandi Bartels.
At the high school this summer, the main gym and performing arts gym floors will be refinished.
The library has been painted and new flooring and furniture will be installed. In the Family Consumer Science room, a new oven, new flooring and a new teacher’s desk will be installed.
The entire high school’s flooring will be deep cleaned with wax or shampooing carpet. There is also some old furniture that will be cleared out, Bartels said.
The steering committee will continue to study a potential bond issue with a meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 25. The committee - made up of board members and the public - have met several times and identified facility improvement needs from a new Vocational Ag/Art building to replacing HVAC systems and others.
The next meeting will put dollar estimates on the priorities identified with further discussion about school bond financing.