By ALICIA FEYERHERM
Tiger Media Network
The USD 489 Board of Education approved a bid for asbestos abatement at Felten Elementary School (formerly Hays Middle School) during Monday’s meeting.
The $110,315 low bid from Integrated Solutions would remove asbestos floor tile, adhesive, and window glazing from Felten during renovations. Superintendent Ron Wilson noted that the estimated cost in the capital outlay plan was $175,000.
Board member Allen Park motioned to table the decision until the next meeting. Board member Derek Yarmer seconded.
“I would like to walk through the building to see how it actually looks,” Park said.
Park said there have been previous discussions about bringing forward expensive agenda items at least a meeting prior to allow the board more time to consider the decisions.
Board member Ruth Ruder said she expected this to be brought forward since asbestos abatement was required at the previous Hays High School, which was constructed after the Felten building.
“It was already in my mind that this was going to be a discussion,” Ruder said.
Wilson said delaying the approval would severely disrupt the renovation schedule as everything is dependent upon the abatement.
“Not everything is an emergency,” Yarmer said. “If everything is an emergency, nothing is an emergency.”
“It is an emergency,” Wilson said.
Park also asked why none of the bids came from Kansas contractors. Board member Jayme Goetz attributed this to a labor shortage.
“A lot of companies in Kansas aren’t bidding on things because they don’t have the workers to do them,” Goetz said.
Park said in the State of Kansas, an abatement company is not required to complete the work.
“I’d like to see some local companies, at least something to compare with,” Park said.
Goetz said she did not think any local companies would be willing to complete the abatement work.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’d love for it to be cheaper, but it’s just not,” Goetz said.
The motion to table the decision failed 4-2 with Yarmer and Park voting against. Ruder motioned to accept the low bid. The motion was approved with Yarmer and Park voting against.
Other items from the meeting included:
- Presentation from School Resource Officer Austin Spencer
- 1st Read of the Kansas Association of School Boards recommended policy changes
- Approval to authorize the sale of 7.23 acres of land located north of the current Hays Middle School football field through a sealed bid process
- Approval of the 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 school district calendars
The next Board of Education meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on January 19 at the Rockwell Administration Building. This will be the first meeting with the new board members who were elected in November.