Week in Review April 20, 2018

PCM Middle School principal on leave after lunchroom incident

PRAIRIE CITY — PCM Middle School Principal Ty Weatherman has been placed on administrative leave, according to district superintendent Brad Jermeland.

The action follows allegations by PCM parents that the administrator allegedly forced several students to clean up other students’ chewed and spit out food off a lunchroom table.

Jermeland said Thursday morning the situation is under investigation but did not confirm any of the details listed about the incident circulating on social media.The superintendent did confirm he met Thursday morning with parents regarding the allegations.

“With all situations like this, we’re taking it very seriously. We’re doing an investigation of the situation. It’s unfortunate that things have transpired to this point,” Jermeland said. “But we are taking it very, very seriously.”

Jermeland said it’s PCM’s policy that an administrator can be put on leave during an investigation into possible conduct violations. He said the investigation could take two to three days.

C-M schools facility plan
continues to take shape

COLFAX — Monday evening, the Colfax-Mingo Community School board unanimously approved a facility and maintenance project list — a product of their facilities committee meeting April 11.

“This isn’t our (large facility renovation). These projects are carpet, locks, signage, those kinds of things,” superintendent Jim Verlengia said. “Cameras, softball fences and most things in here, we just can’t (cut) these things ... the committee deemed most of these projects of the highest urgency.”

According to the district’s Purchasing Policy Code No. 803.1, the superintendent is authorized to make purchases under $10,000 without board approval and collecting sealed bids. Purchases above $10,000 must be approved by the board, with competitive sealed bids required for purchases more than $30,000. The superintendent can also receive quotes for goods and services prior to board approval for purchases between $10,000 and $30,000.

After the district leaders approved the facility/maintenance list of projects, the superintendent said this gave administrative staff time to begin collecting bids for the projects mentioned in the approved list. He said the board will still need to approve purchases of more than $10,000.

Verlengia said by the board approving the master facility maintenance schedule, it will help speed up the process of completing the facility maintenance and repairs.

According to district documents, C-M is projected to have a remaining PPEL/SAVE balance of $1,071,460 if they complete all of the scheduled projects, which have an estimated cost of $904,144.

Prairie City passes first of three readings to increase utility rates

The Prairie City City Council passed the first of three readings that would bump up residents’ utility rates.

The council passed the reading 4-1 during its monthly meeting April 11 at city hall. If enacted, the slight rate hikes would affect Prairie City residents’ water, solid waste and sanitary sewer bills.

Prairie City sewer customers would see a 3 percent increase in their monthly bill under the proposal. That translates to roughly a $1.21 per month increase for the average household.

Water rates would increase by 2 percent, 50 cents more per month on average, while garbage collection will increase by 3.5 percent. Depending on the size of a resident’s waste can, that averages between a 37 cent to 52 cents per month rise in cost.

In total, city officials expect residents would see a total city utility cost increase between $2.12 to $2.27 per month. The council needs to pass two more readings for the ordinance change to take effect. The next vote is scheduled for the council’s May 9 meeting. The rate changes would begin July 1.

Matt Stoffel of PFM Financial Management represents Prairie City’s financial advisement firm and broke down the proposed increases for the council in February. Stoffel said the 2 percent water increase is to keep prices in-line with inflation.