The problems associated with COVID-19 continue to snowball for Warren County School District.

COVID cases are piling up. Snow might, too.

The district’s snow removal contractor chose not to extend its contract.

The contractor informed the district that he “has not been able to find enough employees to ensure that he can fulfill his obligations,” Warren County School District Operations Manager David Undercoffer said. “It sounds like they simply can’t find the employees, similar to the worker shortage that so many businesses across the country are facing.”

Not getting a renewal came as a surprise.

“The current contractor has been the sole plow company for the district since the current contract started in 2017,” Undercoffer said. “They have plowed at least some of the schools for many years before that.”

“We have been very happy with the company and aren’t holding anything against them,” he said. “It’s just an unfortunate scenario that they can’t extend the contract due to the labor shortages.”

So, the district had to move on and look for new providers.

“We advertised for new bids and had the bid opening this past Tuesday,” Operations Manager David Undercoffer said. “We did not have a single company place a bid for plowing our school lots.”

“This has us in a tough position,” Undercoffer said. “Our grounds crew performs some plowing and salting in the district, but does not have the equipment or manpower to cover all the schools.”

The work is going out to bid again.

“The contract is pay as you go,” Undercoffer said. “The contractors bid a price per time plowing and are paid as bills are submitted throughout the year.”

The contract is not all-or-nothing.

“The schools can be bid on individually,” he said. “So, it doesn’t necessarily need to be a large company with the ability to cover every school in the district.”

The plowing contract is back out to bid. Undercoffer said the new opening is set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Bid packets and information about the bid process are available by calling (814) 723-6900 ext. 2.