Princeton School District To Pursue Potential Electric Bus Purchase

Princeton School Board members approved a health insurance proposal for the upcoming school year at their meeting held on Monday night.

The district’s cap will remain at $600 per month. The proposal approved by the board from broker Thomas McGee will not include an increase to the premium for employees. The district is in its third year of a self-insurance plan with Insurance Management Services. The plan will include a Base Health Savings Account and a Base PPO plan.

Board members also approved the purchase of security camera equipment. North Missouri Satellite & Security was approved to provide network video recorders, cameras, TV monitors, surge protectors, and wiring for a campus wide security system. The bid was just over $24,000 and will cover equipment for the high school, elementary school, pre-school, Stacy Center, and Ag building.

Summer improvement projects were also reviewed. Those projects being considered include sidewalk replacement on Coleman Street at the High School, High School brick repair on the exterior of the building, and a handrail on the south side of the Stacy Building.

The Princeton School Administration was also approved to pursue grants and other funding sources for an Electric School Bus to be added to the fleet. The manufacturer, Lion Electric, has stated to the Princeton School District that an energy cost savings for an electric school bus could be 60 to 80 percent when compared to a diesel bus. The Princeton School District will attempt to find funding sources to reduce the purchase price and make it a cost effective endeavor for the district.

A community member stated a concern about the board’s decision last month to offer two sections of full-day pre-school. With an unusually high number of four-year-old students, the pre-school program will not accept 3-year-olds and will offer two full-day classrooms for 4-year-olds.

Following an executive session, Princeton’s board approved contracts for Amanda Carleton as a 1st grade teacher, Ashley Woods as an Elementary Special Education Teacher, and non-certified staff for the 2021-22 school year. The board approved Sylvia Pauley as Food Service Director and Velma Allen as High School Librarian. Michael Pauley was approved as Maintenance Director. The board accepted the resignation of Tyler Radewald as Maintenance Director.