Board approves several grants, curriculum donation and equipment bids; votes to raise lunch price by 25 cents
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Summary
The Northwest Allen County Schools board approved two state grants for digital interventions and learning tools, accepted a donated Ramsey financial‑literacy curriculum, awarded a $307,493.52 bid for Willow Creek band instruments, and approved a 25‑cent school‑meal price increase and a 1% health‑insurance premium renewal.
At its July 21 meeting the Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees approved several operational items: two state grants to support digital intervention and learning, a donation of a financial‑literacy curriculum, a purchase order for band instruments, a modest lunch price increase and a health‑insurance renewal.
The board approved the Indiana Digital Intervention Training and Implementation Grant — $10,716 — to pay for training and IXL intervention software for K–8, presented by Wade Books, district math and testing coordinator. The board also approved the Indiana Digital Learning Grant — $37,932 — which will fund Amira literacy tools and a pilot of a classroom AI tool (Magic School AI) at Carroll High School.
Carroll High School will accept a donated Ramsey education personal financial planning curriculum offered by a community partner; the district said the curriculum is state‑approved for the course. The board also approved acceptance of the donation and its implementation at Carroll High School.
On facilities and equipment, the board awarded the Willow Creek band instrumentation bid to Sweetwater for $307,493.52 and noted that classroom chairs and music stands were purchased separately (roughly $45,000) and therefore not included in the bid tabulation.
Business staff recommended a 25‑cent increase in paid lunch prices for the 2025–26 school year after reviewing a federal tool that recommended a 50‑cent increase; the district chose a smaller increase because of its available reserves and to remain competitive with neighboring districts. The board approved the meal price recommendation.
The board also approved the district health‑benefit renewal, working with Brown & Brown and renewing UnitedHealthcare for medical coverage and moving dental coverage from Delta Dental to Sun Life; staff said the overall insurance renewal represents roughly a 1% increase in district health‑plan costs and that Sun Life will offer a two‑year rate hold.
All motions for these consent and business items were made, seconded and approved by voice vote during the regular agenda portion of the meeting. These actions were approvals of grants, donations, purchases and policy implementation steps; none of the approvals authorized construction contracts or bond issuance.
Ending: District staff said they will monitor implementation of grants and procurements and will continue to report on budgetary effects at future meetings.