Marshall Public Schools board approves bond refunding and multiple facility and technology purchases

On April 14 the Marshall Public Schools Board of Education approved a slate of fiscal and facilities actions including a proposed refunding of the district's 2015 bonds, sinking‑fund purchases of safety and facilities equipment, and vendor contracts for a new turf field, track resurfacing and gym sound system.

The board approved a resolution to pursue refunding of the 2015 bonds to reduce interest costs and voted to accept a community‑led capital plan to install synthetic turf at Marshall High School. Trustees also approved purchases paid from the district sinking fund, including a track renovation and sound system replacements, the purchase of 450 Chromebooks, and replacement of a facilities pickup truck.

Board members and staff said the actions were aimed at lowering long‑term borrowing costs, improving campus safety and keeping buildings and athletic facilities usable.

The board voted unanimously to allow finance staff to pursue an interest‑rate refunding of the district's 2015 bonds. Kendra Lee, the district finance director, told the board the district expects an estimated net taxpayer savings in the range of about $372,000 to $500,000 after refunding costs; she said the estimated cost to complete the refunding is roughly $270,000 and that final savings will be known once interest rates are locked.

Trustees also approved a contract proposal to install synthetic turf at Marshall High School from Maumee Bay Turf for $1,031,661. District staff said the turf purchase is tied to a community capital campaign being managed by the Marshall Community Foundation; major private donations announced during the meeting totaled $800,000 (Marshall Community Credit Union $650,000 and Ford $150,000). The board approved the turf contract by voice vote after discussion of timeline and site preparation; district staff said the vendor indicated an aggressive installation window that could allow the field to be ready for the first home football game.

A competitive cooperative purchase for comprehensive track renovation was approved for $329,977, to be paid from the sinking fund. The board also approved $89,995.54 for replacement gymnasium sound systems at the high school and middle school and a $157,050 purchase of 450 Chromebooks. The facilities department was authorized to buy a 2024 Ford F‑250 pickup for $46,580 to replace an aging vehicle.

On safety equipment, the board approved a district purchase of signage, placarding, interior maps and other security items after a presentation by Joe Humphreys of Lock Out USA. Humphreys described a multi‑component system of placards, maps and locking hardware; he said full systems can exceed $1.1 million but the district will purchase components in phases and use sinking fund dollars (staff said an initial package would draw from up to $250,000 of sinking fund funds). The board voted to approve the proposed purchase package included in the meeting packet.

All recorded motions carried with board approval. Several items were approved by roll call (Calhoun ISD preliminary general operating fund approval and the 2015 bond refunding resolution were recorded by roll call; other purchases were approved by voice vote), and staff noted required follow‑up steps for budgeting and contract execution.

Board President Amanda Lankard and other trustees thanked staff and community partners for work on the turf campaign and for preparing cooperative bidding documents. The district will return with final contract documents and, where required, compliance details such as storm‑water and site work engineering before construction work begins.

Votes at a glance

- Calhoun ISD preliminary general operating fund (resolution): approved by roll call; trustees voted unanimously "yes." (motion moved by Dr. Mark Michalka, supported by Jerry Underhill)

- Proposed refunding of the 2015 bonds (resolution): approved by roll call; trustees voted unanimously "yes." Staff estimated net taxpayer savings between about $372,000 and $500,000 after costs; estimated refunding cost about $270,000 (final savings dependent on locked interest rates). (motion moved by Shauna Gamble, supported by Dr. Mark Michalka)

- Purchase of school safety signage, placards, placarding maps and related items from Lock Out USA (contract package as described in packet): approved by voice vote; board authorized staff to proceed with the package and to use sinking fund dollars for the initial purchase (staff noted phased purchases). (motion moved by Matt Davis, supported by Shauna Gamble)

- Maumee Bay Turf contract for synthetic turf field at Marshall High School: approved by voice vote; contract amount $1,031,661. The turf purchase will be funded with donations managed by the Marshall Community Foundation; the district will process project invoices and receive transferred funds from the foundation. (motion moved by Dr. Mark Michalka, supported by Matt Davis)

- Marshall High School track renovation (cooperative purchase): approved by voice vote; contract amount $329,977 to be funded from the sinking fund.

- Marshall High School and Middle School gymnasium sound system upgrades: approved by voice vote; low bid $89,995.54, funded from the sinking fund.

- District Chromebook purchase (450 units): approved by voice vote; total $157,050, to be paid from the sinking fund; old devices will be scrapped through an existing vendor program.

- Facilities pickup truck (2024 Ford F‑250): approved by voice vote; total $46,580.

How the board decided

When a formal roll‑call was required (resolutions), the board recorded votes individually. Where purchases were routine procurements that fit cooperative bid rules and sinking fund budget authority, the board approved by voice vote and directed staff to complete contract paperwork and return any required follow‑up documentation to the board.

Next steps

District staff will finalize contracts, return with final site and engineering documents where needed (notably for stadium and turf site work), and submit a compliance plan where required. For the bond refunding staff will return the final figures after interest rates are locked and the refunding bonds are sold.