The Williston District 29 School Board sidelined an idea to replace the high school gymnasium’s bleachers.
In a special-called Jan. 24 meeting, Anthony Giugliano of MasterCraft Renovation Systems presented the board an opportunity to buy used bleachers from a school in Georgia.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Everette Dean Jr. said he invited Giugliano to inform the board about the opportunity because the board has discussed the idea before.
The WEHS bleachers have been there since 1964 and have “code issues,” said Giugliano. Bringing them up to code would mean either buying used or new ones because fixing them is not an option. “They’re that bad,” he said.
“The facility is mandated to keep up with current code,” said Giugliano.
He mentioned a lawsuit brought against District 29 several years ago after a lady fell and broke her leg on the old bleachers at the football stadium. Before the accident the district was looking to replace the bleachers at a cost of about $128,000; however, they were ordered to replace the football bleachers as part of the suit—costing about $350,000, said Giugliano.
He said the used wood bleachers would cost $35,000 for his company to deliver, clean up and install. For around $20 a seat more, the district could replace the wood seats with plastic ones. Plastic seats don’t split and clean easier than wood, he said. The current bleachers have around 900 seats.
Giugliano said they could  also buy new bleachers that could cost $60,000 to $75,000 but has a 20-year warranty.
Board member Chris Rivers said he wants to finish the classroom renovations at Kelly Edwards Elementary and Williston-Elko Middle schools first. “Classrooms are a safety issue” as well due to the mold, Rivers said.
Board member Calvin Melton said he wants the bleachers replaced, but “let’s finish what we started (classroom renovations).”
After talking with the principals and other staff members, Dr. Dean created a facility priority list. Replacing the bleachers and awnings, plus repairing classrooms, top that list.
No action was taken on the purchase of bleachers or committing funds to renovate classrooms.