The Examiner U-46 News Feed

New steamer among items approved by U-46 board

By Seth Hancock
  The Board of Education in School District U-46 unanimously approved, with a 7-0 vote, of the purchase of a gas steamer for Elgin’s Ellis Middle School at its Dec. 18, 2023 meeting.
  The steamer will cost $26,128, which will be paid through the education fund, from Central Restaurant Products.
  The steamer being replaced is from 2011 and is “approximately 5 years past the manufacturer’s suggested replacement date” and is “no longer operational and needs replacement,” the proposal states.
  “Purchasing a new steamer for Ellis Middle School will allow the district to significantly reduce the number of menu changes made throughout the week,” the proposal states.
  The district, which did not go out to bid, sought quotes from three vendors with prices ranging from $26,128 to $30,495.
  The item was presented and approved on the same evening as an “emergency” purchase, the proposal states.
  “Pursuant to Illinois School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-20.21 and 105 ILCS 5/28A-5 et seq, regarding emergency purchases, Food and Nutrition Services is requesting an exception to the bidding requirement for purchases over $25,000.00,” the proposal states.
  The proposal adds: “In efforts to prevent emergency purchases in the future, Food & Nutrition Services is compiling an equipment replacement schedule and plans to go out to bid for preventative maintenance services for all Food Service owned heating and cooling equipment.”
  According to the schedule of work, the district is expecting a six-week lead time. When the steamer arrives, a technician will be sent to the school to “complete the installation and perform the required cleaning and maintenance training for the staff,” the proposal stated.
  Also approved by a 7-0 vote was itemized bills totaling $11.5 million.