Board approves $25,000 boost to Kagwin contract for pre-emergence treatment

The Eureka Union School District board approved an increase of roughly $25,000 to the Kagwin annual service contract to add pre-emergence treatment, funding the cost from a split between the general fund and routine repair-and-maintenance funds.

Staff presenting the facilities recommendation told the board that the additional contract cost is estimated at about $25,000 per year and that the district had been outsourcing mowing and related services. The board agreed to treat the contract change separately from the staffing change and voted to approve the increase as agenda item 2B.

Staff also cautioned that if the district were to bring pre-emergence application in-house it would need new pesticide application licenses and employee training, a process that would delay an immediate change. “For us to be able to process 2B here at the district, we would have to have new licenses to be able to carry the chemicals here,” a staff member said, adding that training and approval would be required.

Trustee Matt moved to increase the Kagwin contract to include pre-emergence; the motion was seconded and passed with no public comment. The contract amendment was approved and staff will implement the change consistent with procurement and budget procedures.