DeKALB – Two bids have come in to provide replacement uniforms for the DeKalb High School Marching Band. The bids will be discussed during DeKalb School District 428’s Tuesday board meeting.
The first bid was about $76,900, while the other was about $73,800. Since there is such a small discrepancy between the two costs, it is being recommended that the uniforms be rigorously tested for quality. It is also being asked that the board give the DHS band two weeks to study the bidders’ sample uniforms and come back Feb. 20 with a recommendation on which uniforms to buy.
The band program currently has about $28,000, which will be added to the district music budget to assist in the purchase of new uniforms. That represents all funds raised by donations from the athletic boosters, music boosters and the DeKalb Education Foundation. It also accounts for numerous fundraisers supported by the band program and the Band Parent Organization.
With two more fundraisers planned for the spring, one Feb. 17 at St. Mary’s Memorial Hall, 322 Waterman St. in Sycamore, the band is confident it can raise enough to cover at least half of the uniform costs.
Also on the agenda will be a discussion on a proposal for an additional 17 certified positions for fiscal 2019 in order to support the growing operational needs of the district.
The additional certified and noncertified positions would amount to about $685,000 more in annual base salary and by $266,000 more in benefits. This proposal will not be taken up for a vote Tuesday.
The board meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the District 428 Education Center, 901 S. Fourth St.