Medical Lake School board approves maintenance plan

The Medical Lake School District board of directors approved several items at their Oct. 28 meeting.

One of the items was the district’s five-year maintenance plan. Maintenance Supervisor Gary Hartman presented some of the projects for this year, including installation of new carpet in the hallways of both Hallett Elementary and the high school. Another project on the plan is relining the high school track.

“They say you should reline the track every seven years and we’re going on 10,” Hartman said. “It’s time for an update.”

Hartman also listed projects that the school would work on down the road such as replacing the roofs over the high school gyms and retrofitting the lighting for the bus garage. He also went through the projects that were completed this year, which included the new electronic sign for the district office, new doors for the bus garage and a card reader at the high school.

The board approved two policies “Response to Student Injury or Illness” and “Student Safety Walking, Biking and Riding Buses to School.” Superintendent Tim Ames explained that the second policy includes more walking and biking safety procedures, as well as ways the district can work with parents and students.

During his “Superintendent’s Report,” Ames said the district’s levy committee will begin their work in November and that all Spokane County School districts are being asked to prepare their levies early this year.

“We’ve already got three volunteers and have potential chairs,” Ames said. “Even though the resolution isn’t established, we want to get started.”

Ames said the resolution for the levy will be on the agenda for the Nov. 18 board meeting.

Board member Ron Cooper asked about the cost compared to the current levy. Ames said it is a renewal and there is no increase in cost.

Business manager Don Johnson said staff is projecting to keep the levy rate the same at $2.20 per $1,000 of assessed property valuation.

In other business:

• The board approved the additional middle school and high school fundraisers for the school year.

• Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Center of Educational Effectiveness.

• Approved a request to surplus a Signatronics reader board and a 1979 National 84-inch riding mower.

• High School Principal John McSmith received the Washington Association of Secondary School Principals Distinguished Principal of the Year Award.

• Ames honored Hartman, Johnson and assistant business manager Chad Moss for their years of service to the school district.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.