North Allegheny board previews Jan. 22 agenda; bond refunding could save roughly $1.4 million

The North Allegheny School Board on Jan. 8 reviewed items slated for the board’s Jan. 22 regular meeting, including a plan to refund a 2015 bond series that district staff said could save the district roughly $1.4 million, a $10,000 donation earmarked for athletic projects and a $281,250 phase‑2 upgrade to the building automation (DDC) controls at Carson Middle School.

Board Finance presenter Mister Weniger told the board that nine of the finance items on the Jan. 22 agenda are action items and that the district has been pursuing a refunding of a 2015 bond series. “Roughly 1.4 ish million dollars, which is, obviously, fantastic,” Weniger said, describing the projected savings as contingent on interest rates and market conditions.

Why it matters: a refunding would reduce the district’s debt-service costs if market conditions and final rates allow. Weniger and district bond counsel are continuing work on the refinance; the board did not take a formal vote at the Jan. 8 work session and the refunding will appear for action at the Jan. 22 meeting.

The properties and capital projects folder includes a $10,000 donation from the Waffington family earmarked for athletic projects. Mr. McClure said the donation will support continuing work in the district’s athletic facilities that began with previous improvements to the “barrel center,” and that the district has already identified specific uses with athletic staff. The board will consider accepting the donation at the Jan. 22 meeting.

Also in properties, district staff presented a phase‑2 upgrade to the DDC (direct digital control) energy management system at Carson Middle School. Facilities staff reported the project came in at $281,250 against a $295,000 capital allocation. A staff member, Mister Jabala, said the installation quote does not include ongoing service beyond the one‑year equipment warranty: “It doesn't include any additional service outside the scope of installing this, quoted equipment, and the equipment will have a 1 year warranty to it.” He added the district has a separate service contract with OZ Controls to maintain HVAC controls across the district; after installation, routine service needs would be covered under that contract.

Student representatives presented several travel and activity items that will be on the Jan. 22 consent agenda. The board will be asked to approve travel requests for the speech and debate team to Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; and Des Moines, Iowa for the national tournament, and AFJROTC travel to Anniston, Alabama for an air‑rifle competition. Student council members also reported AFJROTC fundraising in excess of $6,000 to support the unit’s annual field trip and activities. The student report named four cadets connected to Air Force scholarship outcomes: Elizabeth Franklin and Harrison McMorrow were selected for scholarships, and Alex Neuffer Hernandez and Grant Kroll were named alternates.

Other action items listed for Jan. 22: approval of a contract with Lifetouch Photography (curriculum folder); appointment of delinquent tax collectors and certification of unpaid 2024 taxes; preparation and mailing of 2025 real estate tax bills; several routine finance items including student expenditures and the accounts payable list; and eight human resources items (resignations, appointments, wage/status changes, leaves, tuition reimbursements, professional and supplemental contracts). In student services, staff listed three separate agreements for board consideration: an education‑center agreement with Watson Institute, a memorandum of understanding with Pittsburgh Mercy, and an educational services agreement with Woodhagen Academy. Superintendent Doctor Hyland’s agenda items include a foundation financial review, a second reading of policy 5, and professional development items; first readings for policies 110 and 127 are listed as information items.

No formal votes were taken at the Jan. 8 work session; board members and staff confined their discussion to previews and clarifying questions. Board members asked only clarifying questions on the major items. For example, board member Doctor Gibbs asked whether the DDC upgrade price included ongoing service; Jabala and facilities staff clarified the one‑year warranty and separate service contract. Board member Miss Blacker commented on the Waffington family’s long ties to the district and to school activities.

The board will consider all listed action items at its Jan. 22 regular meeting; outcomes and any formal votes will be recorded in meeting minutes and subsequent public materials.