As Murphy’s Law would have it, below zero temperatures and
about a foot of snow arrived on the day two huge, heavy, 26 year old heating
and cooling units, firmly attached to the roof of BHS, were scheduled for
replacement.
But, for the crews hired to do the needed renovations, their
schedule didn’t allow for snow days.
Thus, the day’s motto became “come rain, hail, sleet or snow,
BHS’s roof units must go.”
Very early that morning, say around 5 a.m., on his way to
BHS, Superintendent Travis Miller dodged City of Bayard’s snow removal team
s making it possible citizens could drive down the streets to
wherever they wanted to go.
Meanwhile, out of sight of most everything alive, Morrill
County employees tried to clear county roads so, if necessary, school buses
could pick up students.
Therefore, Miller safely slid into BHS where, soon, Ed Tofoya
and George Likas would remove snow from parking lots and other pertinent areas around
the school. To complete the picture, BPS’ custodial crew shoveled snow from the
roof, so uninstalling and installing the units could begin and finish.
The scene was the proverbial beehive of activity for some,
while a snow day for others.
Fittingly, the snow emergency fit snuggly into the already
nightmarish picture of replacing the two units. Previously, in a “not sent from
heaven scenario,” the assumption was it would take a large standing crane to
move the units. However, to bring one to Bayard came with an attached bill for
$19,000.
Unfortunately, BHS administrators, teachers, staff, food,
supplies, utilities, etc. also come with attached bills, and the standing crane
finished a distant seventh, at best.
Thankfully, the sun broke through the renovation clouds when
it appeared a gantry crane would suffice, and the bill fit into the financial
snapshot. But, the school had to furnish an indoor place to temporarily park it.
The ag shop had room; thus acquired an overnight guest.
Therefore, despite a spiteful visit from Mother Nature, a
gantry crane and dedicated personnel replaced the worn out heating and cooling
units, and the doors to BHS still swings both ways.
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