Crane Board Meeting at a Glance
A variety of topics were on the agenda for Crane School District’s governing board meeting Tuesday night. Here’s a look at some of the items addressed by the board.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
In the governing board’s first session of 2020, former clerk Sarah Claridge was elected president, succeeding Brenna Paulin. Paulin was elected to succeed Claridge as clerk for the year.
SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS
On Dec. 13, the Arizona Department of Education awarded new school safety grants for Arizona schools. Crane School District received $399,605 to fund counselor positions at Gary A. Knox, Pueblo and Salida del Sol Elementary Schools through June 2023.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
In Management Services items, the governing board approved the district’s entrance into a contract with GCON Inc. for pre-construction services for the expansion of physical space at the Rancho Viejo Learning Community. The expansion will include additional classroom space and modifications to the reception area at Salida del Sol Elementary as well as a new dining area at the current Rancho Viejo Elementary campus.
Provided at no cost to the district, the pre-construction services will include preliminary design documents, constructability review, project cost estimates for equipment and construction as well as a project schedule. Upon completion and regulatory review of project plans, GCON will provide the district with a guaranteed maximum price for construction, which will be brought before the governing board for approval.
Based on estimates already received, the governing board voted to increase the district’s job-order contracting maximum threshold from $1 million to $4 million for the project to procure needed construction services.
GIFTS FROM THE PUBLIC
The district received $2,415.61 in gifts from the public for the month of December.
NUTRITION
According to director of school nutrition Michael Clark, the district’s winter meals program provided 2,053 breakfasts and 3,395 lunches during the holidays.
“My department is constantly looking for opportunities to be innovative and find the balance between healthy and fun, because I know I can influence student hunger,” Clark said. “Crane School (District) nutrition department is working to eliminate food insecurity and hunger within our community.”
The district recently piloted breakfast in classrooms at Ronald Reagan and Pueblo, which increased participation by 60%.
Crane has also been recognized by the Arizona Department of Education as a five-star nutrition hub. According to Clark, there are only 21 school districts in the state to receive this distinction; Crane is the first in Yuma County. *** The district’s next governing board meeting is slated for Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m. in the board room of the Crane District Services Center, located at 930 S. Avenue C.