BELLE — The Maries R-2 Board of Education took no action on Nov. 28 to accept bids to replace the hot water heaters in the Belle High School locker rooms.

The water heater that is currently installed was disconnected several years ago for safety reasons, according to a discussion during the Oct. 24 board meeting.

The district received two bids from United Mechanical Services for $8,305 for a 50 gallon tank and $12,248 for a 100 gallon tank.

According to minutes, the board did not take action on either bid.

“Reviewed the bid received to replace the water heater in the high school locker room. The board did not take action to replace the water heater at this time,” according to the report.

Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham introduced the request to the board at the Sept. 26 meeting.

“I had a group of students who talked to me about wanting hot water heaters in the locker room,” Basham began. “Right now there is no hot water in the shower or the sinks. I said if they could get together and present us with the signatures and the requests that I would bring it to you for review. Right now there is a very large hot water heater that has a fill tank.”

Maintenance Director Tony Gieck said the water heater in the girls’ locker room has an 800-gallon holding tank and is about 50 to 60 years old.

“It has a storage tank that we constructed right in front of it,” Gieck said. “It holds probably 800 gallons.”

The water heater heats and pumps water into the holding tank and recirculates it back so it keeps on flowing.

“I have lit it over the years and it is just absolutely dangerous because whenever you light it you better run like hell,” Gieck said. “It has actually blown the exhaust top off the top of it and UMS says it is non-functioning anymore. “

Gieck said to replace the water heater, the tank has to be cut out.

“It is wrapped with a white insulation that ARSI came in and took a sample of and the guy said more than likely it is asbestos,” Gieck said. “We could remove all that and put in another tank. The 50-gallon was about $8,000? You have the proposal. It’s high.”

Basham asked about the on-demand water heaters.

“We were told because they don’t have a water softener on it, it is not applicable for a water heater in the locker room because we have hard water,” Basham said. “I didn’t know if we wanted to consider taking some bids so we know the cost to do it and then have another discussion about it. I do think it is a reasonable request from students to be able to shower.”

Directors asked how many students use the shower that doesn’t currently have hot water.

“None now,” Butler said.

BHS Principal Garrett Haslag said he wasn’t sure P.E. students would use it, but athletes might.

“I really would be shocked if physical education used it at all,” Haslag said. “Sports teams, I think it is more possible.”

Directors said the students need hot water to wash their hands properly. Butler asked if they could use an on-demand water heater for the sinks at least. Or if they would have to have one on-demand water heater per sink?

“I would suggest going with a smaller water heater than what is there to keep the price down and doing away with the storage tank altogether,” Gieck said.

Basham said they need to decide what they want to bid out. Specifications were determined in closed session and posted on the district’s Facebook page.