By ALICIA FEYERHERM
Tiger Media Network
USD 489 Board of Education had split votes on two action items during Monday’s meeting – the first being a motion to enter into an Equity Lease Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management.
The district’s current fleet has many aging vehicles. Nearly half of these vehicles are over 10 years old, making them less fuel-efficient, less reliable, and costly to repair. Enterprise’s plan would allow the district to lease newer vehicles, updating the fleet every four years rather than the current twelve-year cycle. This plan aims to save the district money by reducing fuel and maintenance costs and providing a predictable yearly budget. Enterprise would handle the acquisition, maintenance, and sale of the vehicles.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Hipp said over the last month he has been working with Enterprise Fleet Management and contacting references. He also said the board reviewed the agreement in the most recent work session.
“We feel like we honed in very tightly and have a great handle on what the fleet rotation would look like with Enterprise,” Hipp said.
Hipp also reached out to Lewis Automotive to compare what a dealership fleet management agreement would look like.
“The equity side of it is just stronger [with Enterprise] than what we could get at any dealership level,” Hipp said.
Hipp emphasized that Lewis Automotive is still a great community partner, but the more economical alternative was to go with Enterprise.
“Over time, we save more money based on the size of our fleet,” Hipp said.
Board member Allen Park said he was not comfortable with the process.
“When we get into something like this in this amount, I think they had a great presentation, it looks really good, they have great references, I agree with that, but I also would like to see us offer it and have a fair bidding process,” Park said.
Board Member Derek Yarmer agreed with Park saying he wished they put it out to bid.
Board President Curt Vajnar said he has talked with a City Commissioner as well as personnel within the district and they all have been impressed with Enterprise’s proposal.
“They responded back to me saying they think it’s a really good deal going to this kind of thing, and you’re continuously having updated vehicles,” Vajnar said.
Board member Jayme Goetz applauded Hipp for his thoroughness on this project.
“The amount of work that you put into this is very incredible,” Goetz said.
The motion passed 5-2 with Park and Yarmer voting against.
The next split vote dealt with changes to the Classified Handbook and Administrator Handbooks.
Superintendent Ron Wilson said there were no changes to the Classified Handbook this year and the changes to the Administrator Handbooks were minimal. The main difference in the Administrator Handbook was the format.
Instead of writing out clauses that are also in board policies or other documents like the benefits packet, the handbook simply references those policies and documents. This way when those other documents are updated, the handbook does not also have to be updated.
Goetz asked if the references could be linked within the document so it would be easier for users to find the referenced material. Hipp agreed.
The version of the Handbook presented to the Board contained items that were struck through and marked up from last year’s changes that were approved in September of 2023.
“Everything that’s been crossed out, you approved last year, it just never was officially removed,” Wilson said.
Park said he would like to see an updated copy.
Goetz motioned to approve the changes, seconded by board member Ken Brooks.
The motion passed 6-1 with Park voting against.
Other items from the meeting included:
- The Board heard an update on the results from an employee benefits survey
- Approved obsolete district property to be listed on Purple Wave
The next regular board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on November 25 in the Rockwell Administration Center building.