Gaylord Community Schools board approves bus-lift purchase, budget amendment and bell-to-bell phone ban

The Gaylord Community Schools Board voted to purchase a drive-on, four-post bus lift from Northern Pump Services, adopted a budget amendment and approved two policy changes at its meeting.

Mr. Weber told the board the current lift is not usable and that the replacement "is going to be about $80,000 for a bus lift," and staff said installation can proceed after formal approval. Board members moved and seconded the procurement motion; board members Rachel, Katie, Doug, Carrie and Jeff voted yes and the motion carried.

The board also approved 2025–2026 budget amendment number one, which Mr. Weber described as a standard update to align the district’s budget with the state funding the district received. The motion to adopt the amendment passed with the same recorded yes votes.

On policy, the board approved two changes. The first updates personnel policy (article 5, section 7) to ensure auxiliary staff earn sick time consistent with the Earned Sick Time Act (the transcript references the Earned Sick Time Act and one hour of sick time per 30 hours worked). The second amends student policy (article 4, section 21) to prohibit wireless communication devices and personal electronic devices during the school day “bell to bell,” with administrators able to tailor details by school level. Carrie, reporting for the policy committee, said, "initially it's going to be bell to bell, and we're going to see how it goes." Both policy motions passed with the recorded yes votes of Rachel, Katie, Doug, Carrie and Jeff.

Board members asked when the bus lift would be installed; staff said they would "get the ball rolling" after approval and that the lift will be bolted to the floor, not requiring major structural work.

The meeting record shows no public comments on these items. Next steps for the approved purchases and policies are administrative implementation and scheduling for installation and effective policy rollout on July 1, 2026.