School health services and building upgrades discussed; ARPA and state grants funded circuit breaker school HVAC and doors project

A school representative told the Finance Committee on Aug. 18 that work at Circuit Breaker School — installed with ARPA funds — has brought a new air-conditioning and boiler system into service and that the county and state grant funding is being used to add secure doors and vestibules.

"With the ARPA dollars, the county was able to get the air conditioning and new boiler system. That's been fantastic," the representative said, adding that the school received a state grant of about $200,000 and that the district must provide a $50,000 match. The presenter said some door hardware is on back order and the project should be finished in the coming months.

On school health services, the presenter said the only increases requested for FY26 were preapproved salary adjustments: one union employee will receive 75 cents an hour plus $4.75 in longevity, and the staff nurse and the presenter will receive a 3.5% or $1-per-hour increase, whichever is greater (the presenter said the $1-per-hour option results in the higher amount for this office). No other changes to the school health services budget were requested.

Committee members asked about truancy grants and staffing; the presenter said a prior truancy grant (Taeyoc) of about $130,000 had been replaced by a competitive program and that the ROE picked up some state dollars to maintain four full-time truancy officers; the presenter said officers have shared office space downtown but prioritize field visits and school interactions. No committee vote occurred on these items at the Aug. 18 meeting.