HOLYROOD — Discussion of what to do with the former school building in Bushton was front and center at Monday’s meeting of the Central Plains USD 112 board of education.

Davis Jimenez began the discussion by saying he wants to purchase the building for weapons and firearms training. He would also continue to allow the Farmer Township Library to operate in the building.

In a letter to the board from Dennis Zink that was read by board member Josh Hurley, Zink urged the board to reopen the building.

Brad Schiermeyer, board president, said it is going to cost the district to move the HVAC and boiler equipment from Bushton to Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood, but it is also costing the district money each month for insurance and utilities just to keep it.

“We need to do something with it,” he said.

Board member Tami Schepmann said it is not a wise use of district funds to keep the building in Bushton just to keep it. Board member Jacob Charvat agreed, noting he would be open to considering the offer to purchase the building or to put it up for bids.

Board member Tamara Dody said she wasn’t ready to make a decision on how to proceed with the building. She wanted to see information on the cost and utility of installing mini-split heating and cooling units in each room at CPES. She thinks these may be more efficient and cost-effective than moving the equipment from the building in Bushton.

Hurley argued to keep the building a little longer because of the unknowns caused by COVID-19 and the reopening of schools in the fall.

“We may need the space,” he said.

Hurley and board member Chad Rogers agreed with Dody in wanting to see several bids on the installation of mini-splits at CPES. Superintendent Greg Clark said he

Superintendent Greg Clark said he will call engineer John Louis Smith for feedback on the building’s heating and cooling needs.

In other business:

• Clark briefly talked about a plan being developed for classes for the 2020-21 school year.

“It is a working plan,” he said. “I can almost guarantee you that whatever we plan will be changed.”

The plan would focus on doing the best to keep students in the buildings and keep everybody safe from COVID-19 exposure, including the wearing of face masks, social distancing and sanitation protocols.

The plan includes a hybrid model with both in school and at home learning.

Clark said each building will develop its own building and transportation plans because each location is different.

The next meeting of the Central Plains USD 112 board of education will be at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood.