Heat, air upgrades on schedule at schools

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Infrastructure improvements at the district's schools are still moving forward, said McCook School District Business Manager Rick Haney,

This includes the heating and air conditioning upgrades at the high school, Haney said Monday night at the regular McCook School Board meeting.

"Everything is right on schedule," Haney told board members. The high school's heating system can be used if needed and the computer automation of the heating/cooling systems is being completed.

Skylights that were damaged from this summer's hail storm are still being repaired, he continued.

The asbestos abatement company has visited the former national guard building the district recently purchased and Haney said he expects to get clearance soon.

Haney also said that the food service contract is in its fifth year and so the district will be seeking a Request for Proposals for a new food service contract.

A committee of school board members will choose the new contract, he said, with the new contract hopefully in place by March.

Superintendent Grant Norgaard also told board members that the district is looking for a speech pathologist for the near future.

The district now has three speech pathologists but several may be retiring in the next few years, so the board is being pro-active now, he said.