Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

School Board accepts bids

The fact that the Prescott Schools received only one bid for each of several vital services became an issue during the boards August meeting. The board had already put off action on some of the services while they sought additional bids. Prescott Superintendent Hyacinth Deon said the fact that the district got only one bid from potential providers isnt uncommon.

For the past three or four years, we just dont get options, she said.

The district contracts annually for services such as occupational therapy, psychological testing and sports therapy. As of the August meeting, the district had not yet contracted for those services. Services are contracted on a per hour basis and the occupational therapy bid was more expensive than last year - a fact Deon attributed to traveling costs.

Board member Jo Beth Glass questioned the impact that increase would have on the districts budget.

If it costs us $50 more of $50,000 more, we have to have it, Deon replied.

If this is going to change our bottom line by several thousand dollars, I would want to continue the bidding process, Glass said.

Im willing to approve it because it has to be in place, said board president Patricia Blake.

The option, according to Deon, is to allow parents of children who need those services to take them to a specialist and have the district foot the bill. Theres no way of knowing or controlling costs in that scenario, according to Deon.

When it comes to special education and the law about special education, if you have to, you shut every other service down to provide what that special education child needs, Deon said.

The contract was approved with a 3-2 vote. Both Glass and Meadors voted against the measure.

On the topic of psychological testing, Glass again voiced concerns. She asked if the bid the district received was from Charles Winer and Deon confirmed that.

This is the husband of the lady who recommends when we use the service? Glass asked. When Deon confirmed that as well, Glass said, And you dont feel thats a conflict of interest?

Deon said the issue had been cleared through the state Department of Education.

I understand your fears, Deon said.

With no other bids to consider, the board approved the contract with Glass casting the only dissenting vote.

In other business, the board heard a report regarding the roofing project at McRae Middle School and the students progress attending class at the Potlatch Building at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.