Prairie South School Division issued nearly $500,000 in tenders last month, including one to fix the boiler at Central Collegiate and several for caretaker services in rural schools.
From April 26 to May 31, the division office issued four tenders worth $449,143, including:
- One to Walter’s Industrial Mechanical in Regina for $130,000 to replace a boiler and add a water heater at Central
- One to Mona Vandurme for $240,444 over three years for contracted caretaker services at Mossbank School
- One to Macarana’s Cleaning Limited in Regina for $73,116 for caretaking at Kincaid School for one year
- One for $5,583 per month for temporary contracted caretaking services at Mortlach School
Ron Purdy, business superintendent, explained during the recent PSSD board meeting that the boiler at Central experienced a “minor explosion” and had to be replaced, with the insurance claim covering the cost.
Meanwhile, division administration issued a temporary cleaning contract for Mortlach because there was an emergency and there was no time to go through the tendering process, he continued. Human resources will look for a CUPE employee to permanently fill that role once the three-month contract is over.
Furthermore, the caretaker in Kincaid hasn’t been able to work for a while, so CUPE agreed to let the division office contract out the work until the employee returned, Purdy added.
“We did try to recruit as a temporary opening, but we weren’t able to,” said Amy Johnson, HR superintendent. “So in order to support the school, we contracted out the work until such time it maybe becomes a permanent opportunity … it’s not been removed from the bargaining unit.”
The next PSSD board meeting is on Sept. 5.
