Dist. 158 member questions 'quality' snow removal

Huntley Unit District 158 school board member Larry Snow criticized the administration this week after the district received a quality assurance plan from a snow removal bidder that Snow deemed inadequate.

District 158 administrators, Snow charged, had stressed the need for a quality assurance plan but were willing to accept less-than-desirable assurances from the bidder.

"You complained mightily, publicly about quality assurance and you're willing to accept this paragraph that says call this number?" Snow said.

Superintendent John Burkey has recommended that the board approve a contract with Elgin-based Tovar Snow Professionals for snow removal. Burkey estimated the contract is worth about $160,000.

"Should District 158 have a quality concern, they should contact the corporate office of TSP at (847) 695-0080," an Oct. 12 letter from Tovar to the district reads.

"I read this and I just laughed," Snow said. "I thought it was humorous that we would consider this a quality assurance plan."

Board member Aileen Seedorf agreed that the plan was not to her liking.

"I thought it was going to be more specific," she said.

But Chief Operations Officer Glen Stewart said he has scheduled monthly meetings to discuss quality with Tovar and that quality complaints are tied to site supervisor bonuses.

"I think that's a pretty good commitment," Stewart said.

Burkey agreed.

"I don't have a problem with the quality assurance because they were found to be a quality vendor and I think the letter provides the mechanisms to address if there are any quality assurance problems," Burkey said.

The superintendent offered to obtain more comprehensive assurances from Tovar if the board directs him to do so.

"We're more than happy to try to get something different in the letter," Burkey said.

District 158 decided to hire a new snow removal firm after Moore Turf Care caused an estimated $24,000 in damage to district property last year.

Moore Turf Care is owned by David Moore, the husband of Linda Moore, who is interviewing to fill the school board vacancy left by Jim Carlin. Linda Moore is no longer employed by Moore Turf Care.