Bond project on budget, 60 percent done:

The Colfax school board Monday night elected officers for the new year, approved a large bus purchase and took in updates on school construction and the upcoming levy.

It was the first meeting with new board member Erica Anderson.

Superintendent Jerry Pugh opened the meeting with comments about the Feb. 11 maintenance and operations levy, on which he had planned to present to staff Tuesday, but it was canceled due to the late snow start.

“This is a replacement levy. And the levy is for learning,” Pugh said. “We really want to focus on bolstering our electives.”

The two-year levy for 2021/2022 would be collected at $1.97 per thousand dollars in assessed property valuation, for a total of $900,000 per year.

If it passes, the district will receive $152,000 in levy equalization from the state.

While the district is allowed to go higher in its collection rate – with new state rules putting the limit at $2.50 per thousand – the Colfax board, advised by a volunteer committee, elected to go with a lesser number.

“We believe that the $900,000 mark, $1.97 per thousand, is what we need for the next two years,” Pugh said. “We don't want to jump to $2.50 'cause we could. That's not what it's about.”

Construction update

Pugh updated the board on school construction, including the auditorium, nearly complete, representing phase three. Phase four of the $18.9 million bond-funded work remains in progress, expected to be done in mid-February, which will open seven more classrooms for use, including the ag shop.

Pugh reports that the overall project is on budget, through 60 percent of its scope.

“The dust isn't nearly as bad as phase one and two. That was brutal,” Pugh said.

Board positions, new bus purchase

Terry Huber was sworn-in Monday to his second term on the board, followed by his re-election as vice chair. Jennifer Hauser was re-elected as chair while Brian Becker will continue as the board's legislative representative.

New member Anderson will be the WIAA (Washington Interscholastic Activities Association) representative.

With that set, the board then approved $149,742 for the purchase of a “big trip bus,” with capacity to seat 78 people, plus the driver, with an exit door on the side and storage area underneath.

“It being bigger, so is the price,” said Pugh.

The Thomas-Built bus will arrive in the fall. It will be bought from Schetky Northwest Sales of Pasco.

The bus replaces an older, similar model, to leave for two of the large-size buses in the district.

Also Monday night, the board moved its March 9 meeting to March 12 because Pugh will be a presenter at a small schools conference in Wenatchee on the normal date.

The board will meet next on Jan. 27 at the Jennings Elementary School library.