Anthony Wayne board approves property purchase, permanent-improvement bids and religious release policy; treasurer flags state budget changes

The Anthony Wayne Local Schools Board of Education voted to approve several routine and substantive items at its regular meeting, including the purchase of a property for district use, authorization to seek bids for permanent-improvement projects, updates to board policies and a policy change on release time for religious instruction.

Treasurer Carrie presented the March financials and reported a $2,500 donation awarded to the district. She also presented a resolution to execute a real estate purchase contract for property at 6446 North Texas Street in Whitehouse; the treasurer told the board the purchase price was $104,000 and the closing was scheduled for the following morning at 10 a.m. Carrie emphasized that the projects discussed were to be funded from permanent-improvement (PI) dollars, not the general fund, and asked the board to authorize seeking bids so work could proceed over the summer when school buildings are less occupied.

Carrie also briefed the board on proposed statewide changes in the biennial budget (House Bill 96) and described two provisions under discussion that could affect district finances: the state house proposal’s approach to the Fair School Funding plan (with some districts projected to gain and others to lose) and a carryover cap that would limit a district’s…