Solanco board approves IU 13 operating budgets, multiple facility bids and first readings of policy updates

The Solanco School District Board of School Directors on April 7 approved the district's contribution to two Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 (IU 13) operating budgets, awarded multiple facilities contracts, accepted a personnel report, and approved first readings of four updated policies.

The approvals were taken in a single business meeting before the board recessed into an executive session on the superintendent's evaluation. All actions taken at the public meeting were approved by voice vote with no recorded dissents.

Solanco Superintendent Craig Bliss summarized the IU 13 budget proposal to the board and the district's required contribution. "So the total IU 13 budget is approximately $238 million this year," Bliss said, adding that IU 13 has no taxing authority and that the unit funds its work from program fees and other non-tax sources. He told the board Solanco's assessed contribution for the instructional media services budget is $33,533, a roughly 1% increase from the prior year. Board members asked about possible federal funding cuts; Bliss said IU 13 is planning contingencies and that, at this time, districts would not face immediate out-of-pocket liabilities but that program cuts could directly affect services.

Why it matters: IU 13 provides shared services such as special-education consortium programs and instructional media that individual districts can opt into; the board's vote confirms Solanco's participation and its fiscal commitment for the coming year.

Facilities contracts and procurement

The board awarded a package of capital and maintenance contracts recommended by district staff. - Tennis courts: the low, responsive bidder for a full renovation…