Just one short year ago, the Delphi Community School Board’s plans for a $13 million school buildings renovation were defeated in a public referendum. It did not take long for board members to regroup and determine just how to accomplish the much needed repairs to the buildings without utilizing the comprehensive renovation plan at one time.

To that end, the board heard a wrap-up of the elementary building project, which was the first phase in making as many of the needed repairs and improvements, projectby project, to all of the buildings as funding allows.

“We are pretty much finished with the elementary project,” superintendent Ralph Walker said at the Monday night meeting.

Walker reported that security measures were installed and the HVAC systems were upgraded.

Jason Jeffries of the engineering consulting firm Envoy and Associates reported specifically about work accomplished. He noted that staff was yet to be trained to use the security systems.

Jeffries did give some welcome news to the corporation leaders.

“I am happy to report there is about $277,000 unspent from the project,” he said.

Jeffries specifically ad- dressed a concern raised earlier by a patron that doors for Delphi Community Elementary were not installed prior to the beginning of the school year. He explained construction bids were approved at the April 13 board meeting and the normal amount of time, two to four weeks, was spent working with the contractor to ensure all materials purchased met design specifications. Jeffries said the doors could not have been ordered before June 6, which did not leave enough time after they arrived to install them before school began in the fall.

Jeffries also reported that screens purchased for the Camden building were not able to be used due to irregularities in the window casements.

“So we own them but we don’t have anything they fit?” questioned Bill Trueblood.

Jeffries acknowledged that is the case.

Walker said it is necessary for unused project funds to be spent for other repairs, projects and renovations at the elementary school buildings. He said the money did not have to be utilized quickly and could be kept in the line item for at least five to seven years.

Walker explained a similar funding situation existed for work at the middle school. He said the estimate to replace the ceiling in the cafeteria was much less than expected after the decision to not remove the pyramid was made. A bid for $19,000 for the ceiling work was approved.

With the money remaining from that project, bids for $13,386.14 for carpeting in six rooms, $74,971 for a camera and security system, and $26,519.96 to repair the greenhouse, not originally in the scope of work, were approved for the middle school. Funding for the project will be provided from a general obligation bond.

Bus replacement

The board approved the purchase of three 2011 International buses for no more than $78,317 each, with tradein including options, for a total of no more than $234,951. After the purchase, all buses in the fleet will be manufactured by the same company.

Softball press box

The board approved the purchase of materials for the softball press box project from Lowe’s for $10,595.37. Varsity softball coach Randy German said Lowe’s approved an educational discount which was lower than a bid from Menard’s for the same materials. All funding will come from the capital projects fund.

Walker was directed to advertise for contractor bids to build the press box. The construction committee was granted authority to accept the most responsive bid to expedite the building process. German said the corporation will be hosting the softball sectional next year and a new press box will enhance the experience for officials and media.

Other business

The current credit card policy was distributed for review.

An additional appropriation for $105,000 for the general fund was approved.

“This gives us the latitude to make some adjustments at the end of the year,” Walker explained.

Former principal and teacher Terry Beach was reappointed to the Delphi Public Library Board as the corporation representative.

Connie Myer was approved as an elementary administrative assistant, Drew Sandora as middle school technology assistant, Kelti Ratcliffe as Camden aide, and Brady Crisp as high school volunteer assistant wrestling coach.

The next meeting will be Dec. 14 at 7 p.m.