Board signs contract extensions and approves budget amendments; ESSER reallocation noted

The Murfreesboro City Schools Board on June 24 approved several contract extensions and multiple year‑end budget amendments, and heard an update that the district is reworking an ESSER reimbursement submission after new federal guidance.

Contracts and renewals approved included a one‑year extension of the existing ABM custodial services contract for FY 2026 (the last extension allowed under the original agreement). Staff stated the extension increases pricing by 3% over the prior year and reported an updated annual cost of $2,900,000 (monthly: $248,523). Staff said ABM’s district satisfaction surveys averaged about 85% and staffing reported in the low‑to‑mid 90% range.

The board also approved a one‑year extension of the Douglas Lawn Care professional services agreement (mowing) at a cost of $152,800 to be paid from the general purpose fund; John Houston & Associates was selected to provide yearbook and photography services after an RFP process; and the technology department’s Pure Storage support renewal (three‑year term) was approved (first‑year cost reported at $58,565). The board accepted a cybersecurity licensing contract through the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration under the CyberSafe10 program, which provides software licenses at no cost to the district for the stated term.

On finance items, the board approved budget amendments described as final year‑end cleanups: a Title I/IDEA amendment that separates certified and non‑certified substitute line items (no net change to total funding), a small $2,000 adjustment within an Access for All grant, a $465,735 reallocation within the general purpose fund to recognize actual benefits, salaries and equipment expenditures, and a $5,000 transfer within the Central Cafeteria Fund for maintenance and repair of equipment covered by savings elsewhere. All passed with motions and no recorded opposition.

Staff also briefed the board on ESSER: after a March U.S. Department of Education notice affecting previously approved ESSER 3 liquidation requests, the state advised districts to resubmit some requests with different allowable expense categorizations. The district said it reallocated amounts from capital outlay into regular instruction in hopes of securing federal reimbursement and will resubmit; staff emphasized they have not received a formal federal denial but are anticipating some denials and are proactively adjusting the budget for a stronger resubmission.

Board members asked about custodial service quality and staffing; staff provided survey and staffing‑rate figures and said calls and complaints have decreased after ABM implemented requested changes. For lawn care a board member asked whether the contract includes landscaping around signs; staff replied those tasks are handled by the district yard crew. Staff said they will provide fiscal notes if the board asks about expanding certain employee benefits (discussion earlier in meeting about paid sick‑leave payouts), and that ESSER resubmissions will be tracked with the state.