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Board extends leases for original portable classrooms at MSGH amid roughly 50% rent increase
Summary
The board approved a three-year extension of leases for portable classrooms at the MSGH, citing ongoing space needs for special education and noting lease costs have risen about 50 percent from prior contracts.
MOHAMMED SEYMOUR, Aug. 4 — The Mohammed Seymour Board of Education approved a three-year extension Aug. 4 for the leases on original portable classrooms at the MSGH, citing continuing space needs for special education.
District staff told the board the monthly rent for one portable rose from about $1,297 to $1,880 and that another lease is about $900 per month; board members noted that represents roughly a 50 percent increase over earlier rates. The district presented the extension as a necessity after a local referendum failed to produce alternative space funding.
Heather, district finance staff, said the portable leases were placed to address space shortages and that the district had little choice given current enrollment and program needs. She told the board the standard lease term presented was three years but said staff could ask the vendor about other term lengths. On the contract, she said the installation and uninstall portions appeared to be included.
Board members asked who would remove units at lease end; staff said vendors typically remove portables but concrete pads typically remain. A board member said the district had added previous portables in prior years and that those leases will come up on staggered schedules.
Finance staff said lease payments are paid from Fund 20 and routed through the debt service fund for accounting under GASB. The board voted by roll call to extend the lease for an additional three years; members recorded voting yes included Rob; Severance; Jordan; McComb; and McMurray.
Board members said they did not anticipate pulling portables this school year but discussed future options, including reassigning grade levels or seeking alternatives before contracting for more units.
