Lewis Central board adopts 2025–26 calendar, approves multiple facility, safety and technology contracts

After the budget hearing, the Lewis Central Community School District Board of Directors met in regular session and approved the 2025–26 district calendar and a package of capital and operational contracts and resolutions on April 7, 2025. The actions collectively fund security upgrades, facility renovations, lighting retrofits, classroom technology and steps needed to sell general obligation bonds.

Votes at a glance - Calendar revision (2025–26): Approved (motion passed by roll call; one recorded “No”). - High school roofing (Blackhawk Roofing): Contract approved for $433,550. - Kreft (school) secure entrance/vestibule (Elk Ridge Construction): Contract approved for $74,554.98. - Kreft security cameras and door contacts (Prime Communication): Contract approved for $148,008.91. - Middle school EPIC intercom (vendor/installer): Contract approved for $132,834.85. - Kreft (Craft) LED lighting retrofit (Foss Lighting): Contract approved for $153,310 (internal lighting; estimated 8–10 year payback). - Titan Hill LED lighting retrofit (Foss Lighting): Contract approved for $214,350 (estimated 8–10 year payback; substantial annual electric savings noted). - Chromebook purchase (SHI): Contract approved for $200,000 (replacement cycle; 800 devices budgeted; new non-digitizer touchscreen model lowers per-unit cost). - Resolution to direct advertisement for sale of approximately $20,500,000 general obligation school bonds and to approve electronic bidding procedures and the official statement: Approved. - Memo of understanding with Green Hills AEA (special education, ELL and other pooled services): Approved; district staff said the new purchasing model directs funds to specified services and is projected to reduce overall AEA flow-through by about $250,000 compared with prior years’ arrangements. - High school painting (A Cut Above Painting): Contract approved for $46,400. - Certified/professional, classified and administrator salaries for 2025–26: Approved as presented. - Multiple unpaid leave requests for named employees (employees A–I): Approved as presented.

Board and staff discussion Board members and district staff summarized bids and noted that several recent construction and equipment bids came in below original budget estimates. Facility staff (project advocates) reported that high school parking-lot and lighting bids were significantly under prior estimates and that the district’s package of projects remained within overall bond and budget constraints. On the LED-lighting projects, staff described internal-payback estimates of roughly 8–10 years and noted the retrofit would include motion sensors and dimming controls to reduce electrical consumption and operating costs.

The board approved the calendar revision after a public comment period earlier in the evening and voted to finalize the calendar change in open session following a related closed-session discussion on personnel matters.

Ending: The board scheduled a work session before the April 21 meeting and said it will hold a special meeting on April 14 if needed to finalize short-timeline concrete bids. Most agenda items passed by recorded roll call; for each approved contract the board directed staff to complete required procurement steps and begin implementation.