Melissa Bigler

This document provides an update on capital projects and the state budget for the Big Spring School District. It outlines a multi-year plan for various building, property, and IT infrastructure improvements across its schools, categorized into five priority levels with timelines extending from 2025 to 2034. Key focus areas include facility upgrades, security camera replacements, sound system enhancements, and heating system modernizations, with associated estimated costs. The document also includes a 2025-2026 state budget update.

The finance committee meeting, which was the first board meeting of 2026, focused on financial updates and future budget planning. Discussions included preliminary results for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, noting a surplus of approximately $2.8 million after accounting for a transfer to the capital reserve fund. The variances contributing to this surplus included higher-than-budgeted interest earnings and unexpected state funding. The update for the current 2025-2026 fiscal year addressed the delayed state funding, which impacted interest earnings but ultimately improved the projected deficit due to favorable changes in cyber charter school tuition calculations based on new legislation. Preliminary planning for the 2026-2027 budget outlined anticipated salary increases for various staff categories (3.0% to 3.25%), a projected 5% increase in healthcare costs, and the established employer contribution rate for PERS at 33.59%. Debt service projections for the upcoming year were also reviewed. The presentation concluded with an overview of budgeted revenue sources, highlighting that 47.5% of total revenues are derived from real estate taxes, and a timeline for the 2026-2027 budget approval process.

The meeting was the annual organization meeting for the purpose of swearing in newly elected or reelected board members and organizing the board by electing a permanent president and vice president for a one-year term. Key actions included electing a temporary president from holdover members, certifying the election of new members (Julie Booth, Benjamin Brown, Allison Malot, and John Wardle), administering the oath of office, and electing John Wardle as Board President and Mr. Hippensteel (implied, based on voting context) as Vice President. The board also approved committee assignments, approved expenditures for the high school musical, the scroll and quill club, and the baseball/softball programs, authorized the solicitor to petition the court regarding misdemeanor offenses for school code violations, approved the updated high school agriculture occupational advisory committee roster, voted to stay within the Act One index for the budget, acknowledged additional transportation employees, and approved the replacement of the high school pool UV light for $49,500.

The Board meeting agenda covered several key areas: opening remarks and recognition, public comment period, financial reports for November and December including payment of bills totaling $4,699,035.11 and $4,876,356.79 respectively, and the noting of Treasurer's Fund Reports for both months. Personnel items included the approval of several staff resignations, the recommendation to approve two student interns, the appointment of a Middle School Special Education Teacher (Cheyenne Shoener) and a Middle School Business Education Teacher (Rebecca Howell), approval of extra-duty positions, and the recommendation to hire a full-time Maintenance Technician (Steve Sprecher). New business action items involved the approval of an updated Policy 006 - Meetings, acknowledgment of additional Krise Transportation employees, approval of a Capital Reserve Fund payment, approval of several agreements including Ship Start MOU and an addendum with ESS Support Services, and approval of multiple fundraisers. Furthermore, the board addressed the creation of a new Girls Flag Football club, and the approval of the Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center 2026-2027 General Fund Budget Proposal, noting an increase in Big Spring School District's share. Information items included updates on employment status for a previously approved hire, leave requests, recognition of monetary donations, and updates on contracted staff.

The Building & Property Committee meeting focused on several key operational areas. Discussions included the Paint Room Upgrade, which requires approximately $9,000 for the explosion-proof fan replacement and electrical work. A review of Change Orders totaled $4,854.08 across several items. The Construction Update detailed progress on the Middle School (MS) projects, noting completion of exterior metal panels and casework, with auditorium panels nearing 50% completion. The High School (HS) construction was reported as complete. There was also a detailed review of the Pedestrian Safety Grant, including cost issues related to drainage and curbing, and an update on current technology projects such as fiber engineering design, teacher laptops, outdoor Wi-Fi, and Honeywell EBI refresh for security and HVAC. Financial updates included YE 19 AFR Revenue and Spend reports, and a status of the Special Capital Reserve (SCT) funds.