Buildings and grounds director Mike Ridlon told the Park Rapids School Board on Monday, Jan. 26 that Century School used propane heat to curtail natural gas usage during the recent cold snap. ADVERTISEMENTOther cold weather issues included outdoor trash compactors not working, he said, “but we’re working through everything, and (it’s been) relatively smooth over the last week.”Transportation supervisor Mike Arvik said the cold weather has been challenging for school bus programs, including buses in a nearby district gelling up. He credited Superintendent Lance Bagstad with making a good call, closing school before the extreme cold set in on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 22. Century Elementary Principal Mike LeMier reported on winter benchmark tests and upcoming diagnostic assessments for fourth through sixth graders who are less proficient in reading. MORE LOCAL NEWSLooking ahead to the 2026-27 school year, LeMier projected about 100 students may enroll for kindergarten.