Michelle Brooks

Key discussions during the public session included recognition of Blair Pointe art students for achievements in banner and peace poster competitions. The meeting involved presentations on bond projects through the Gibraltar Design Project update. Action items included approving the Skillman contract and amending the board meeting schedule by moving the December 8, 2025 meeting to December 15, 2025, and canceling the December 22, 2025 meeting. Business items involved approvals for Early Literacy Endorsement stipends, Tuition Assistance for a Master's program, a Golf Scramble resolution, and a quote for High Ability CogAT assessments. Donations were accepted. Personnel actions included accepting resignations/retirements and approving salary increases for classified staff and extra-curricular coaching appointments. Budget matters covered claims, fund monitoring, and ratification of a master contract. The Superintendent announced that district bonds would be sold next week and mentioned staff attending an early literacy meeting.

The meeting included a public budget hearing where the proposed 2026 budget, school bus replacement, and capital projects plan were discussed and approved. The board also approved an education to operations fund transfer resolution and a 2026 budget resolution allowing for necessary adjustments. A lease and additional appropriation hearing covered proposed facility projects, including renovations to elementary buildings, a transportation and maintenance hub, purchase of the Roxy theater property, and upgrades to the old Junior High facility. The board also discussed resolutions related to the execution of a lease agreement, additional appropriation, reapproving the building corporation, assigning construction bids and contracts to the building corporation, approving a supplement to the master continuing disclosure undertaking and issuance of bonds, NCIA operating under PCS guidelines, and the school calendar. Other topics included donations, early literacy endorsement, facility rental schedule, personnel resignations and recommendations, budget claims, and fund monitoring report. The superintendent addressed public comments regarding bullying and student discipline and announced the formation of a Districtwide Student Behavior Committee.

The Board of School Trustees preliminarily determined to enter into a lease agreement and issue bonds to fund: (i) real estate acquisition and renovation into a transportation/maintenance center and administration space; (ii) deferred maintenance improvements to Elmwood Primary Learning Center and Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School, including renovations, roofing, HVAC, site improvements, and technology purchases; (iii) deferred maintenance improvements to Peru Junior/Senior High School, including renovations, roofing, HVAC, site improvements, and technology purchases; and (iv) renovation of the former Peru Junior High site, including building and athletics improvements.

The Board will consider an additional appropriation for the acquisition of real estate and renovation of facilities, deferred maintenance improvements to Elmwood Primary Learning Center and Blair Pointe Upper Elementary School, deferred maintenance improvements to Peru Junior/Senior High School, and renovation of and improvements to the former Peru Junior High site.

A public hearing is scheduled to discuss the proposed Capital Projects Plan for the year 2026. Taxpayers are invited to attend the meeting for a detailed explanation of the plan and to exercise their rights to be heard. The resolution, if adopted, will be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance.