Gilmer County Schools committed to kitchen equipment purchases ahead of the new year in effort to avoid increasing costs.
At last month’s board of education work session, Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs presented an offer sheet from two companies containing 14 items that will help outfit the new kitchen at Clear Creek Elementary School.
“Much of the equipment is included by the contractor in our guaranteed maximum price. However, there are some pieces that we have elected to purchase ourselves outside of that,” Downs said. “We save on taxes and basically the commission the contractor makes.
“The reason we put this on the agenda is because prices are expected to go up pretty significantly in January. As everyone knows with the supply-chain issues related to COVID, prices are going up on all building materials and also on kitchen equipment as well.”
Six pieces of equipment will arrive from Cartersville’s Edward Don Company at a total of $45,918. Eight more items were ordered from Mobile Fixture based in Columbus totaling $95,186. The grand total for all 14 items is $141,104.
Not only does the school system anticipate significant savings, but payment is not due until the items are delivered in May. Furthermore, the system will not be responsible for storing the equipment prior to its installation.
“The vendors have agreed to hold these bid prices if we purchased them before the end of the year,” Gilmer Schools nutrition director Linda Waters said. “We won’t pay until they’re actually here. We’re just committing.”
Waters added, “These prices should be about 20 percent less than what we would have to pay if I put them out for bid in March and delivery in May.”
Downs noted that the architect advised to not move the equipment into the kitchen until it has been completed and free of construction workers to avoid incidental damages.
“We don’t want to put them in the kitchen until the kitchen is completely finished but we want to purchase them at today’s prices,” she said.
At the board’s regular session three days later, Downs recommended a motion to approve the purchases with the total not to exceed $150,000.
“The quote that we have is under that by a little bit,” Downs said. “Just worrying that something might change, the plan is to purchase at the price listed. Just in case there are any minor changes that are needed, I’d like to give Mrs. Waters the flexibility.”
The motion to approve the purchases passed by a 5 to 0 board vote.
Gilmer Schools receive stART, CS4GA grants
Gilmer County Schools announced last month that it is receiving two competitive grants totaling $25,000 from the Georgia Department of Education.
Funds will be used to support the Gilmer High School band, as well as the district’s computer science programs.
The stART grant funds will be used to purchase sound and amplification systems for the band hall and outdoor concerts and events.
The Computer Science Capacity Grant funds will be allocated for the professional growth of teachers working in the computer science field.
“The Arts are vital to the development of the whole child,” Superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs stated in the press release.
“The importance of the Arts is clear: while stimulating imagination and self-expression, the Arts hold a significant role in the development of critical thinking, responsible decision-making and cultural awareness. We’re delighted to receive this grant to enhance our overall program for our students.”