GENTRY — School board members will meet tonight at 6:30 to vote on whether or not to renew the contract of superintendent Dr. Randy Barrett for next year.

Board members went into a three-hour executive session at Monday night’s regular meeting to evaluate Barrett’s performance. When they returned to open session, they declined to vote on renewing Barrett’s contract because they were split and wanted to wait and vote when all the board members were present.

Board member Le’Ann Watanabe was absent at Monday’s meeting. In attendance were board members Jim Barnes, Coye Cripps, Dani Cypert, Ted Dorn, David Williamson and Brenda Willett.

In other business on Monday, Barrett reported to the board that the school district was in good financial condition, much improved over its position just a year ago. At the end of period six, the operating fund balance, according to Barrett’s report was $3,609,377.

“We are where we need to be,” Barrett said, reminding board members that the district had a million dollar bonded debt payment yet to make this spring.

Updates to the facilities master plan were also discussed at Monday’s meeting. Barrett said his focus was on maintaining the facilities the district had - doing such things as replacing the heating and air conditioning system at the Gentry Intermediate School - rather than building new facilities.

Brae Harper, the school district’s athletic director, presented board members with a list of repairs needed to the school’s athletic facilities. The list included replacing visitor bleachers;resurfacing the track and adding curbs on the inside; replacing the irrigation system on the football field and doing dirt work to improve the field; replacing or adding to gym lighting; repainting the gym using white for the ceiling; replacing the folding bleachers in the gym; painting the football stadium bleachers; adding restrooms to the softball/baseball complex; and building a field house to include locker rooms, restroom facilities, a concession area, coach’s offices, a weight room and possibly an indoor practice area. Harper said these are some things the board should start considering when planning future improvements.

The board accepted the bid of Diamond Bus Salesfor the purchase of a special-needs bus for the school district which is handicap accessible. The bus currently being used is in need of replacement, Barrett said.

Two bids were received and were opened at Monday’s School board meeting. Diamond Bus Sales bid of $94,730 for a 27-passenger bus with trackmounted seating was the apparent low bid. The second bid from Central State Bus Sales was about $10,000 higher. All but about $13,000 of the price tag will be paid for with federal stimulus money.

News, Pages 1 on 01/20/2010