AUGUSTA — The Augusta Independent School Board of Education met Thursday to discuss the current policy regarding non-faculty use of the school’s facilities.
The discussion was brought about when a member of the Augusta Art Guild requested use of the school’s gym to conduct yoga classes for students. Once the board reviewed the request, it realized that request didn’t abide by school policy.
“It was written as if was the art guild requesting to use the facility, but when you look closer into the specifics, the specification of it, it was an individual too,” said AIS Superintendent Lisa McCane.
According to the board’s policy, use of the school’s facilities can be given to ‘reasonable and organized groups that provide demonstrative benefit to the school or the community as a whole.’ After discovering the yoga class proposal was on behalf of an individual, the caveat displayed in the policy would bar the individual from conducting classes.
The board, not wanting to deny a benefit to the community, decided to amend the policy, and held a first reading of the amendment.
“We recognized, OK, our policy really says it’s not for individuals,” McCane said. “Although in my opinion is the problem with that, if it’s been benefiting students, benefiting the community, let’s adjust the policy.”
McCane also mentioned another individual who wanted to use the facility to hold a basketball clinic, where students can work one-on-one with that individual.
“That’s a good opportunity that gives back to kids, gives back to the community,” McCane said. “So those are things you want to do, and it’s low-risk.”
In other business, the board determined it will officially discuss and propose the nickel tax during its July 26 meeting. The purpose of the tax is to generate money for facility use and improvement.
A BG-1 HVAC project was approved by the board to commence. The project will replace the current HVAC system of the school’s library and replace two boiler pumps in the school’s main building, and will cost around $26,000. According to McCane, the project’s cost will be covered by capital outlay building funds.
The board also approved the purchase of a school vehicle for transportation of smaller groups where a bus would be unnecessary. A Chevrolet Suburban was chosen as the vehicle in question, and will cost around $47,000.
The board office flood insurance policy was cancelled by the board. According to McCane, she and the other board members where unaware of the policy and was told by their insurance agent that the coverage was unneeded. The estimated savings, according to the board, will be around $1,000 a year.
