Dale Board of Education members this week approved a contract with a roofing company and voted to use County Education sales tax funds to purchase a school bus.
Board members approved a contract with Coryell Roofing to repair and fix those roofs that were damaged by hail.
School Supt. Will Jones explained, “The hail damage in 2020 was estimated at about $2.5 million. It’s time to fix that damage,” he noted.
The contract approved during Monday evening’s meeting was for $1,70,537.62. About 70 percent of the roofs were damaged Jones confirmed, as estimated by representatives with the roofing company.
The district’s deductible is $50,000, it was pointed out.
The high school, new gym, middle school, elementary school, old gym and band room will all receive new roofs. All but the old gym and band room will carry 20-year warranties, roofing company representatives explained, with the roofs over the band room and old gym having 10-year warranties.
Jones confirmed about 70 percent of the roofs are being repaired.
The company had indicated it would be 65 to 90 days before work began, but board members asked they wait until school is out for starting which Coryell representatives agreed to do.
Board members, under new business, voted to purchase a school bus for $159,720 utilizing County Education sales tax funds.
Jones said the new bus should be delivered by the end of this month.
The board also heard the audit report for 2022-2023. Jones said a Suburban has been purchased for the district and “we’re looking to purchase another.”
Elementary Principal Tamee Daniels reported enrollment is around 348 students, a little up and that Special Education students in the RISE program would be going to the winter games this Friday.
Middle School Principal Kim Powell informed board members enrollment is at 279, noting three new students have started recently.
High School Principal Erick Muncy advised the board that average daily attendance is at 223 students, up from the 190 students last year.
During his superintendent’s report, Jones told board members, “All in all, we’re really looking good financially,” as he reviewed financial information through December of 2023.
The mid term adjustment showed the district is up 59 students from last year.
The warrants as of December 2023 were $2,775,984 and in December of 2022 they were $2,585,539. That’s an increase of $190,445 over December of 2022, he noted.
Building Fund cash balance in December of 2023 was $2,198,497 compared to $140,282 in December of 2022. That’s an increase of $2,058,215 and Jones attributed that to insurance money.
The General Fund cash balance in December of 2023 stood at $1,145, 497 about $474,203 more than the $671,294 balance in December of 2022, he said.
State Aid received as of December 2023 was $1,583,280 and that is $229,661 up from the $1,353,619 in December of 2022.
The County sales tax balance was $410,274 in December of 2023, $52,238 less than the $462,512 in December of 2022, he advised board members.
December sales tax check amounted to $29,145. Balance of 2022-2023 Esser III Budget funds stands at $219,130, the superintendent stated.