WINTHROP - Earlier this week, the Gibbon Fairfax Winthrop (GFW) School Board unanimously approved a custodial management, custodial building and grounds maintenance services and health, safety and risk management services bid from Dashir Management Services, Inc.
The $328,421 bid was the only one received by the school district that would save $30,300 next year by contracting out custodians with Dashir.
Superintendent Stephen Malone noted that the bid complies with district specifications.
Contract terms will be negotiated before the board considers whether to give final approval.
Malone detailed recently revised Minnesota Department of Health H1N1 flu guidelines for K-12 schools.
Recommendations in rank order are vaccination of all children over 6 months old to age 24, hand washing, cough and sneeze etiquette and keeping students and staff with flu-like illnesses at home at least 24 hours after fever is gone without using fever-reducing medicine.
Custodial schedules have been adjusted for more frequent cleaning of computer keyboards, desks, handrails, door handles and other often-touched surfaces.
Hand sanitizers have been installed at each GFW school.
Sibley County Public Health will provide free H1N1 vaccinations for GFW students. Parents have the right to decline vaccination of their children.
Sibley County is planning vaccination clinics for school staff and community members in Arlington after students have been vaccinated.
Renville County Public Health plans to vaccinate community members at the Fairfax Medical Clinic.
Dates will be set after the vaccine is received.
The board accepted a $475,000 gift dedicated for scholarships from the Viola Flygare Estate.
John and Viola Flygare Scholarships of up to $5,000 each will be given to a senior boy and girl each school year.
More scholarships will be given if there is sufficient interest income.