New buses in East Union 5-year plan

AFTON - The wheels on the bus go ‘round and ‘round, and East Union made plans to keep those wheels spinning.

During March’s regular board meeting, Transportation Director Rob Dike outlined a plan for managing the district’s fleet of buses and transportation vehicles with new buses. At the end of the five-year plan, East Union will have six new buses, each with a warranty for a planned 10-year life cycle.

The warranty is a benefit for Dike, noting how it will cut down on maintenance costs. In order to fund the project, the school will need to take a loan for five years. Each installment of the plan will be paid on a yearly basis at $116,000 annually. Starting with the board’s approval during their regular meeting, three new buses will be purchased. An additional three will be purchased following the completion of the five-year plan.

The plan would fit within the district’s capital projects budget. Setting the five-year plan early is important for Dike, recognizing how school leadership can change and commitment is necessary to fully recognize the district’s needs.

“Coming down the road, you guys are gone,” Dike said. “When new people are in, it’d be nice to set in stone and say, hey, this is the direction we’re going.”

Two of the buses planned for the initial purchase are each $167,000, with the last of the three being $172,082 for extra storage to be used for school sports and activities.

The new buses will help assist future plans East Union is expecting to implement to reduce routes for the district. As these new buses replace out-of-life buses, the district will move for longer routes with more students on each of these larger, improved buses.

In other East Union news...

A public hearing was approved for 6:35 p.m. April 21 for the 2025-26 school calendar. The calendar sets a spring break which aligns with Southwestern Community College’s spring break, meaning East Union high school students taking college classes will not need extra plans for attendance.

Notably, the school calendar’s first day for students will begin on Aug. 26 and the first full day of winter break on Dec. 24 (the school day on Dec. 23 is an early dismissal). The district is hoping for more news on state legislation surrounding the school start date and has said in previous meetings they would move the calendar earlier in August with an extended winter break if an earlier statewide start date is passed.

The board tabled for next month their decision on Denovo performing a study to analyze East Union’s facilities, including creating a facilities committee to plan for maintenance and upgrading for the district. The study would cost $12,500 and will need further financing in the future to continue upgrades and further maintenance. Superintendent Tim Kuehl noted how some members of staff had “wishlists” for upgrades which they would share with Denovo.

The Infant Toddler Center will begin a process for new renovations to form the west wing of their building, currently unfinished, to convert the area into a general wrestling area for student activities. Studio Melee offered their proposal for $13,135, creating an initial schematic design. Plans for wall construction and restrooms were included in the proposal.

Money from the general fund, $13,116.84, will be moved to the activity fund to cover the expenses of various safety equipment purchased during the school year. This safety equipment includes a batting cage for softball, football helmets, headgear for wrestling and various nets.

The following contracts and resignations were approved.

Resignations: Kaylin Lack, 2024-25 junior high softball coach; Josephine Holthus, girls wrestling coach; Dawn Arnold, superintendent secretary, athletic secretary, effective June 30; Debbie Aldrich, prom sponsor, effective June 30; Brice Updike, prom sponsor, effective June 30.

Contracts: Heather Brown, ITC assistant teacher; Sierra Mick, ECC high school helper; Jenna Tlach, secondary agriculture, FFA advisor; Chris Wilson, PE.