Triad approves increase of student fees
By Pat Pratt
ppratt@timestribunenews.com
Triad Board of Education members on Monday approved several agenda items, including new technology and activity fees and the renovation of two restrooms found noncompliant with state school building standards.
Technology and activity fees will see an increase in the 2023-2024 school year. A high school technology fee will increase slightly from $135 to $140. A high school non-athletic, extra-curricular fee will also be raised from $30 to $35.
More substantial increases were approved regarding athletic fees. Triad High School athletics fees are increasing from $85 to $100 per activity and $170 to $200 maximum per athlete. The maximum fees per family will rise from $340 to $400. Athletic fees at the middle school will also increase from $55 to $70.
Two restrooms – one at CA Henning Elementary and another at Triad Middle School – have fallen into disrepair and will need renovation.
Under Illinois Building Specifications For Health/Life Safety In Public Schools code, schools must undergo an inspection every 10 years. During a recent inspection, both restrooms were found to be in violation.
At CA Henning, partitions are damaged and need to be replaced in the restrooms adjacent to the cafeteria. The restrooms also need to be upgraded to meet current accessibility requirements. Estimated cost of the work is $135,000 and the district aims to see it completed by December 2024.
Toilet partitions are also damaged and need to be replaced in the restrooms adjacent to the cafeteria at Triad Middle School. Wash sinks and vanities are also damaged and failing in that restroom and other work will be needed to bring the restrooms in compliance with accessibility requirements. Work there will also need to be completed by December 2024 and is estimated at $145,000.
Both projects will undergo the bidding process and a contractor will be voted on at an upcoming meeting.
In other news from the meeting, several routine items were approved.
Board members voted on the position of district treasure, which happens annually. Tamara Kraabel will continue to serve in that role following a unanimous vote by the board. Her term will run for one year from Aug. 1 to March 31, 2024.
Members also approved a treasurer’s bond, which serves as a fiduciary measure for the treasurer and is required under Illinois state law to be in place before any funds are managed. The bond is provided by Travellers Insurance at a cost of $6,612 annually.
Board members voted to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining and a semi-annual expulsion review.
The next meeting of the Triad Board of Education is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 24 at the Triad Central Office, 203 E. Throp Street in Troy.
