Back row: Chris Shank, Greg Lackey, Tim Lackey, Monte Cross Front row: Dr. Michael Green, Jessica Goering, Laura Meyer Dick CREDIT BUHLER USD 313
Buhler Schools Superintendent Cindy Couchman said that the construction projects on Buhler Grade School, Ad Astra Academy, and the new daycare facility, Crusader Corner, have received the necessary approvals to open, and there will be ribbon cuttings and open houses to celebrate.
“Simpson Construction has turned over Buhler Grade School to us,” said Couchman. “At Crusader Corner (56th & Plum), the test well for the water met the minimum KDHE requirements, and the actual well can now be drilled. The Reno County Health Department at the Fire Marshal gave their approvals to open, and we are opening for kids on September 16.” Couchman said Buhler Beginnings (inside Buhler Grade School) opened on Monday, September 2.
“It’s very exciting, and now it’s time to cut some ribbons,” said Couchman. The ribbon cutting ceremonies will be on September 23 with a 10:00 am start time at Buhler Beginnings. Immediately following that ceremony, everyone will travel to Crusader Corner for another ribbon cutting, estimated to start at 10:30 am. All three facilities will host an open house on October 1 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm.
Board member Monte Cross said, “The (board’s) tour of buildings went well. The transformation of Buhler Grade School and the church [that is now Crusader Corner] is astounding. Kudos to everyone involved in that process. We did it right this time for sure.”
In other facility updates, bids for three different pieces of the HVAC upgrade at Buhler Grade School were approved. The bid for electrical work by Zenor was the lowest bid and recommended to the board. The recommendation for the equipment bid was to go with Mitsubishi equipment as opposed to LG. It was the higher bid, but after researching several different sources, including other school districts that have used both systems, the Mitsubishi equipment is more reliable at lower temperatures and has fewer expensive or time-consuming repair issues than LG.
“We don’t want to spend this kind of money to be back in the same situation as before and something fail in a couple of years,” Couchman said. Finance Director Shane Heacox said “This could be the most responsible bid.”
The installation bid went to Diamond Mechanicals. The bids in this case were varied, and taking the different variables into account, Diamond Mechanicals was recommended as the most responsible bidder.
The board also approved a recommendation to combine replacement on two of the three HVAC systems that are struggling the most to save on costs and time. Work on the third set of units will start in the fall.
The board’s next meeting is on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 6 p.m. at the Burkholder Administrative Center, 406 7th Ave in Buhler. To access meeting minutes, visit their website, www.USD313.org.
