By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

The Parkland School Board approved a lease with Turf Tank for a GPS robot that will paint lines on school athletic fields.

The cost of $16,000 for a three-year term includes maintenance on the machines.

The matter was discussed at the Aug. 12 Building and Grounds Committee meeting and approved by the board on Aug. 20.

Director of Facilities and Operations Art Oakes reported the unit will bring several thousand dollars of savings to the district as the labor and paint costs of the former method for marking lines exceed the cost of the lease.

He said an additional advantage will be enabling maintenance staff time to perform other work while the robot is doing the lines.

Oakes said the robot is about four times the size of a room carpet cleaning robot and is easy to lift without paint in it.

The turf robot will not paint lines on parking lots.

Oakes noted the turf robot will be used several times a week in fall and spring.

In another matter, the board approved the purchase of a 2024 RAM 3500 Tradesman 4x4 regular cab with an eight-foot box and plowing accessories at a cost of $71,468 from Hondru in Manheim.

The unit will replace the existing 2002 Dodge RAM 2500 work truck.

Although a quote on a 2024 Silverado was $432 less, Dr. Anthony Naradko, director of safety, security, and school services, recommended the RAM to maintain standardization of the work trucks and to avoid having to purchase new diagnostic tools, parts and supplies for the Chevy.

Turning to the transportation department, the board approved purchase of a new Miller Air Gas welder to replace a unit which is 25 years old and broken.

Naradko noted the welder is vital for fleet maintenance and rust repair and will keep costs down over the duration of district vehicles.

The unit was authorized for purchase from HAUN Welding Supply for the transportation garage at a cost of $5,709.