Budget Amendments Approved To Tackle Roof, Sewer Problems

FRUITVALE—A set of budget amendments approved Monday could solve several ongoing problems on the Fruitvale ISD campus.

Roof leaks in two buildings, a sewage backup problem in concession/restroom buildings at the athletic complex and expanded student parking are the issues FISD trustees hope to resolve soon.

The board unanimously approved a set of budget amendments totaling $39,680.

Fruitvale Superintendent Bill Boyd outlined the various problems, starting with the leaky roofs at the elementary school annex and the pre-kindergarten building, which formerly housed a school cafeteria.

For the latter building, Boyd said an area roofing company could install a durable product that sits on top of the roof.

"I think it is the cheapest yet most effective way to go," Boyd said in Monday’s meeting.

Boyd said he became aware of the sewer line problems at the baseball/softball complex building during a recent weekend tournament.

Later in the discussion, Fruitvale High School principal Mark Pederson said similar problems at the football field concession/restrooms could stem from the line tie-in with the field house constructed a few years ago.

The amendments will also cover expansion of student parking at the high school, adding another 15 to 20 spaces according to Boyd.

He said Van Zandt County Precinct 1 Commissioner Ricky LaPrade had offered for his department to do the work at a substantially lower price — less than $9,000, Boyd said — than the $22,960 quoted by a private company.

The school also plans to purchase an HVAC unit to address high temperature concerns in the elementary computer lab.

Also in the meeting, the board briefly discussed a future policy on students’ cafeteria charges.

Board president Ronnie Abrams noted that large outstanding charges had become a problem.

"I don’t want to see any kid not eat…but I’ve seen several kids build up $150 or $200 worth of charges," he said. "We don’t have a policy in place, and we need one."

Boyd suggested the board might agree upon a maximum charge level, followed by a letter to the student’s parents coupled with a free and reduced price lunch program form.

"It is not a problem that is unique to Fruitvale," Boyd added.

In other matters, the board took the following action:

— Offered a contract to Teresa Plemmons for an elementary school teaching position.

— Tabled a contract renewal with the Van Zandt/Rains Disciplinary Alternative Education Placement Cooperative.

— Canvassed the 2009 trustee election results and retained Ronnie Abrams as board president, Jean Hogue as vice president and Jan Jones as secretary.