By MaryHelen Swanson

In Rush City, Tiger Tub and the weeds surrounding it may become a useful site sooner than later.

The site, located south of the high school could turn into two new ballfields, and a walking path or community use area now that the Rush City School Board has agreed to seek bids for much of the groundwork that is needed to transform this vacant land.

Brenton Boelter from Inspec walked the board members through the plan at last week's school board meeting.

He noted that in 2004, the plan, which includes a baseball and softball field, was put out for bids, but the board members chose not to proceed.

Some land grading was done at that time, but the project has basically been on hold.

Now, the project will need more soil preparation, removal of the weeds, rock raking, seeding and outfield and adjacent area improvements.

For the infield, the project calls for all aggregate. Boelter said they would rely on surface drainage for storm water and a gravelled parking lot will need to be established for about 80 vehicles.

Outside of the bid package, he noted, is the irrigation system that is imperative with seeding. That will also require a well and sprinkler heads.

The board, with the approval of Activities Director Bob Schlagel, will seek local vendors for the irrigation system.

Lighting is not in the package at this time.

As the board members talked, the notion of a path around the fields, for public walking, was considered. Some even went further, remembering a landscaping plan from a few years ago that included a path around the entire school campus.

The board's approval to seek bids for the site preparation did not include the walking path.

However Superintendent Vern Koepp said Boelter could put together some ideas on how to include the path, possibly as an add-on to the bid.

Same officers

Running the meeting last week was board member Scott Tryon who was re-elected chairman. Carol Cook was re-elected vice-chairman, Mark Moulton clerk and Pat Schommer treasurer. The board directors will be Gwen Goretsas and Scott Friday.

Committee assignments stayed the same.

In positive points, elementary principal Melody Tenhoff made note of a new program for young people with special needs. It will be an athletic program similar to Special Olympics, but without the official affiliation. It should be forming soon for students over age 8.

Tenhoff reminded the board of the elementary carnival set for this coming Saturday.

The board heard a report on pay equity. The school district passed the test with a good percentage. Reports are made every three years.

The board also went over the four priorities for the five-year plan they decided upon earlier this month at a special worksession.

They are:

• ballfield development;

• purchase of property around the school campus;

• a new phone system, with voiceover IP; and

• security cameras at the elementary and high school buildings and possibly the bus garage.

All items had been in the plan before, noted Koepp, they were just shifted around.

A fifth priority was added that night, consideration of a campus walking trail.

Elementary boiler issue put to rest

The boiler issue at the elementary school is finally settled.

After construction of the new addition, there was some issues with the boiler. Koepp noted that the school district held $66,000 from Allied Mechanical until the issue was solved. Then Allied went bankrupt. In trying to get this issue settled, the school district spent the $66,000 down in engineering and legal fees.

Hallberg Engineering was hired and prepared a report of recommendations on how to rectify the boiler problems.

The school district implemented the recommendations and the boiler is working fine.

The bond company, now handling the Allied end, demanded that the district turn over the contract retainage. When the district refused, the bond company commenced an action against the school district in Chisago County District Court.

After completion of the repairs, and the boiler was tested, the district issued a change order to the contract with Allied, deducting $30,000 from the amount Allied was due.

After the issuance of the change order, the district made an offer to settle the lawsuit with the bond company for $35,000.

The bond company said no deal and said they would dismiss the law suit for $45,000.

Upon recommendation of Patrick J. Sweeney, of Sweeney, Borer & Sweeney, the school board agreed to the $45,000.

Sweeney said the $45,000 settlement is likely a more favorable outcome than the district would receive at trial.

The funds are not new money, but the remainder of the original $66,000 retainage, it was noted.

Koepp also noted that in the settlement, the district is not giving up any warranty on the boiler.

In other business, the board:

• Hired Jim Youngbauer as full-time bus driver and Tom Seaburg as long-term sub for a science teacher who is on leave.

• Accepted, with regrets, the resignation of Chris McHugh as director of the St. Croix River Educational District.

The next board meeting is 7 p.m. Feb. 15.