Published October 19, 2007 12:00 am - A computerized fuel pumping station is up and running within the Conneaut Area City Schools district, Board of Education members learned at Thursday’s regular meeting
Conneaut schools pumping out fuel
By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
CONNEAUT — A computerized fuel pumping station is up and running within the Conneaut Area City Schools district, Board of Education members learned at Thursday’s regular meeting.
The system, located at the bus garage, uses an electronic key to activate pumps. A computer keeps tabs on who is working the pumps and how much fuel was dispensed. While fuel has been pumped from the tank the past several weeks, Wednesday marked the first day the high-tech monitoring system was used, said Treasurer Linda Bryan.
Data tallied by the system will help the district trim its bookkeeping related to fuel usage, Bryan said.
Meanwhile, talks continue with the city of Conneaut on using the school fuel system for municipal vehicles that require diesel. “We’re getting closer,” said Schools Superintendent Mary Zappitelli.
Initially, the city and schools agreed to partner on the fuel program. Recently, however, City Manager Douglas Lewis suggested the city examine installing its own system at the Public Works Department garage. The city system could also stock regular gasoline and off-road diesel in addition to regular diesel, he said.
If the city pursues its plan, the district would like to strike a deal that would give school vehicles that use gasoline access to the municipal pumps, Zappitelli said.
In other business, the board agreed to take advantage of a special offer from the Conneaut Telephone Co. to place 30-second advertisements pertaining to next month’s five-year, $1.6 million emergency on cable television programs.
The board also learned it will be asked to prepare evaluations of Bryan before the end of the month.