Board hears budget variances for grounds, maintenance, custodial, transportation and instructional technology
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Summary
District staff reviewed proposed variances across grounds, maintenance, custodial and transportation budgets, citing rising vendor and parts costs, planned equipment replacements and specific large line‑item requests including heat‑pump and rooftop unit replacements and a proposed service truck purchase.
At the March 25 meeting South Fayette Township School District staff presented proposed variances and justifications for several operations budgets, including grounds, building maintenance, custodial, transportation and instructional technology.
Steve, a district staff member presenting the grounds and maintenance budgets, said grounds spending would increase by $35,745 overall. He cited a $15,000 increase for snow‑plowing services because the district had already exceeded the current year budget, a $9,500 increase for lawn care stemming from a five‑year contract and a $21,745 increase in repairs and maintenance for items such as concrete and asphalt near the middle school and high‑school stadium and playground refinishing at an elementary school.
On maintenance, the district proposed a larger package of replacements and repairs. "Our proposed budget [for maintenance] is a grand total of $818,893, which is a budget increase of 119,995," one presenter said. The maintenance presentation listed replacement of heat pumps, replacement of classroom carpeting with LVT in eight middle‑school rooms, another maintenance truck replacement and rooftop unit replacement at the high school, and replacement of VFD pumps.
Josh Wasser, the custodial manager, presented the custodial budget and said general supplies (chemicals, toilet paper and paper towels) are the only major increase: roughly $7,000 (about 2 percent), raising the custodial supplies line from approximately $257,000 to $263,000.
Transportation staff reported a proposed increase of $44,602.20 (about a 2 percent increase overall). The transportation presentation cited a roughly $42,000 jump in vehicle parts and general supplies because parts prices have risen sharply, a diesel‑fuel savings due to a February consortium lock price (reported at $2.6064 per gallon), and an increased debt‑service line related to bus leases after the board approved bus orders. The transportation presenter also requested $75,000 for a replacement service truck (current vehicle is a 2012 model) and described a five‑year lease structure with a dollar buyout.
Instructional‑technology staff said they were shifting software costs among school budgets; statements included a $3,696.52 reduction in one line moved to the high‑school budget, a $24,911.24 increase for the Canvas learning management system and other software moves into school budgets. The presenter identified no net districtwide technology increase at the time.
Board members asked for itemized breakdowns where only summary totals were shown; for example, a board member asked for a breakdown of the $66,345 replacement equipment line that covered items such as heat‑pump replacement, flooring replacement and vehicle replacements. The district said specific details and bids would be provided in follow‑up materials and that the disposal (trash/recycling) contract will be re‑bid with results expected at an April or May meeting.
No formal budget adoptions occurred at the March 25 meeting; staff presented proposed variances for future budget consideration.
