School board approves consent agenda; landscaping vendor to seek glyphosate alternative
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Summary
The New Albany-Floyd County school board approved a 16-item consent agenda March 10, 2025, 6–yes, 1 abstention. A board member raised concerns about glyphosate in proposed landscaping services; the district told the vendor it would seek an alternative.
The New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation board approved a 16-item consent agenda during its March 10 meeting, passing the motion 6–yes, 0–no, 1–abstention.
The consent agenda included routine items such as approval of minutes, payroll and claims, transfers between funds, staffing reports, donations to Prosser Career Education Center, approval of civil engineering services for Floyd Central High School and Highland Hills Middle School, change orders for high school scoreboards and football field turf, and requests for proposals for landscaping services.
The vote followed a brief discussion about landscaping services listed on the consent agenda. A board member raised concerns about the possible use of glyphosate near school facilities and children's play areas, citing risks from contact and wind-driven drift. Matt Potts of Selects Lawns and Landscape, the vendor present, said the company is licensed and follows Indiana State Chemist rules and Purdue University guidance and that applications would not occur during school hours.
After the exchange, Selects Lawns and Landscape told the board it would seek an alternative product so the district would not rely on glyphosate for routine grounds management. The district indicated it would pursue a different product if removing glyphosate “makes it safer.”
The motion to approve the consent agenda was made by board member Galligan and seconded by another board member. The formal roll-call yielded six votes in favor and one abstention; the board listed the abstention as Carruthers. The superintendent and district staff said the district will follow applicable laws and administrative guidelines for any contracted services.
The board did not change any of the consent items during the meeting; members asked follow-up questions about specific items (for example, civil engineering services and Prosser-related transfers) and staff answered those questions before the vote.
The district will proceed with the contracted services and follow up on the landscaping-product substitution with the vendor.
Ending: The consent agenda passed on March 10; staff said they will return to the board if any of the contracted work requires separate approval or change orders beyond the items already listed on the agenda.
