Surplus school items auctioned off

McCOOK, Neb. -- An assortment of surplus school items was sold by the McCook School District at a silent auction Thursday.

The auction, was at the bus barn at 404 W. Seventh. Items included miscellaneous old desks and chairs, cabinetry, former kitchen equipment such as stainless steel prep tables and keyboards.

In discussing the auction Monday night at the regular

McCook Board of Education meeting, board member Loretta Hauxwell asked that if clubs in school could use surplus school items for fundraisers, such as refurbishing old chairs, if it was legal to do so. Board president Tom Bredvick noted that sections from the old gym floor at McCook Community College were auctioned off when the new gym was completed.

In other action, the board unanimously approved the student fee policy Monday night, with McCook School District business manager Rick Haney noting that the policy would be revised with increased school lunch prices the board approved last month.

The student fee policy is mandated by Nebraska state law, where school districts set aside funds in the budget each year to be used by students who qualify for free or reduced lunches, for fees and costs associated with school clubs and athletics. The policy also lists all the activities and clubs the school district offers and the fees associated with them.

Haney told the board that there was no activity in the account last year, as in prior years, because the community and private individuals are very forthcoming about providing for the needs of students who cannot afford the costs of activities.

"If they need shoes, we get them shoes," he said. If there is a need of any kind, individuals and organizations "have taken care of the kids, on a case by case basis, 100 percent of the time," he said. "Any kid who has a need, we take care of it."