The regular school board meeting was preceded by a Strategic Plan Committee Regular Meeting where the Herrick Project (roof?) was briefly discussed although there were several items on the agenda. An emergency MTSD Facilities Committee Meeting was also held prior to discuss expiring grants that need to be allocated to projects by 9/30 (~$440,000). Money had been planned to be used for Outdoor Classroom and HVAC for Pre-K/K classrooms; however, school obtained in excess of the grants which is what they were planned for. May need to use some capital reserve to complete all or reduce scope. Will discuss further in regular board meeting.
The regular board meeting began with the normal Call to Order, Agenda Review, and Flag Salute. The first Community Comments portion of the meeting included no comments.
The Consent Agenda included an approval of a warrant, contracts, and approval of minutes from several meetings. One board member asked how coach positions were advertised and whether positions were automatically renewed or recompeted. Sounded like they were posted in the spring and that they were not automatically renewed but didn’t sound like they had to reapply.
The Reports to the Board portion of the meeting included a Superintendent Report, Finance Report, and Committee Reports.
The superintendent provided a staffing report. Discussed(Act 183) Group created that’s looking at various recommendations regarding school budgets. New open meeting law allows for remote meetings, requires video/audio recording saved for public viewing for at least 30 days, Act 149 School Construction Program has a working group to design a plan with grants for master planning, and requires pre-qualification of bidders.
The Finance Report noted that MTSD is only carrying over about $25,000 from last year. The financial system now notifies business manager when purchase orders cumulatively go over $10,000 to a single vendor to allow for school board notification per policy. Previously, several payments under $10k to a single vendor wouldn’t flag for board. The board discussed adding a meeting line item for board notifications for when this occurs.
The Committee Reports included a brief mention that the Strategic Planning Committee meeting discussed mostly the Herrick project and the Emergency Facilities Committee Meeting discussed the grants as noted above.
The Discussion portion of the meeting included:
Milton Innovation Center (MIC) and Outdoor Classroom (OC) Construction Bids were discussed. Would be ready for January if Stewart Construction bid was chosen that had the middle bid that was approximately $27,000 more than the lowest bid.
MES HVAC Systems (ARP ESSER III Grant)-~$440,000 left for OC, and pre-K/K HVAC. Initially had thought short $185,000 currently to complete all these planned projects, but after choosing middle bid for the MIC/OC short ~$212,000. Board needs to decide to remove project or use capital reserve money to supplement for increased costs since projects initiated/quoted. Still~$1.1million left in capital reserve fund with funds from last year’s carryover that will replenish (~$600,000). The board decided to complete all projects. The board chose the lowest pre-K/K HVAC bid that totaled $93,023 (with separate electrical of $35k included in that total).
2024/2025 CFG Grant Funded Strategies (Literacy, Math, Trauma-Informed Practices, Student Voice). Total amount of the grants is $78,900.
MMS 8th Grade Overnight Trip to Boston–May/June 2025–Initial discussion held with board. Expected to cost $547/student for 95 students/15 teachers for total of $60,672 for each student’s portion to be raised using various methods.
Board Goals–Had board training at board retreat prior night clarifying board goal to be annually evaluating effectiveness of public communication and community engagement events as well as supporting the district in carrying out the Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP). The Superintendent provided ideas of informal outreach, monthly forums around certain topics, list of community members without kids getting signed up for communications, electronic newsletters as not likely to do mailings due to cost this year. Board training clarified differentiation between district goals (the CIP) and what should be board goals. Plan to finalize board goals for next meeting.
Board Community Engagement Dates–Discussed not rushing the Herrick Roof project discussion with community due to possible bonding considerations related to Act 183 Group looking at future taxing for school funding. Decided to lock in dates and decide later what the topic will be when the date comes. Decided on September 19th at Herrick with community dinner, which will coincide with the PTA’s Activities Fair which may garner more attendance. Additional date chosen of October 15th at High School.
The second Community Comments portion of the meeting included no community comments.
The Action Items portion of the meeting included approving the MIC and OC Construction Bid for Stewart Construction for a total of $1,411,490 with $827,287 being for the MIC and $584,203 for the OC. Also approved the$54,441 for HVAC for the pre-K/K from Mountain Air Systems. Pratt and Smith for HVAC electrical for $38,582 93,023 paid for by AARP ESSER III funds. Motion for $220,000 to use from capital expense account to supplement the costs for the MIC/OC. Approved CFG Grant Funded Strategies grants $78,900. Provided pre-approval for fund-raising for 8thgrade field trip.
The Board Comments portion of the meeting included no comments.
An Executive Session concluded the night.
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