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Board approves finance, procurement and construction RFPs; adopts multiple budget and purchasing measures
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees approved depository and investment actions, carried forward 2024 appropriations, authorized recurring transfers and approved several procurement and RFP items including requests for proposals for construction manager and architects for planned facilities.
Northwest Allen County Schools Board of School Trustees on Jan. 13 approved a package of routine finance and procurement measures and moved forward with requests for proposals tied to planned building projects.
The board approved Garrett State Bank as the district depository for 2025, accepted the district—s 2024 investment report and authorized the recommended distributions of earned interest. Chief Financial Officer Brian Basham told the board the year-to-date yield was 5.2034% and that the district keeps about $2,100,000 in a non‑interest checking account while placing remaining funds in pooled local-government investments.
Those items were part of a larger slate of motions the board approved, including a resolution to carry forward 2024 appropriations into 2025, recurring transfers from the education fund to the operations fund, and several purchases and contracts. Superintendent Michael Parker asked for -- and the board approved -- public advertising of requests for proposals for a construction manager as constructor and for architectural services tied to a career-technical/alternative education facility and a new transportation facility.
Votes at a glance - Elect officers for Board of Finance (same officers as board of trustees): approved (motion passed; mover and seconder recorded in meeting minutes). - Depository selection: Garrett State Bank approved; vote recorded as 4 in favor, 1 abstention (Ms. Jamieson abstained). - Deletion of outstanding checks (2+ years): approved (voice vote). - Investment income distribution: approved (voice vote). CFO Brian Basham reported approximately $2,278,000 in interest income tied to 2024 investments. - Resolution to carry forward 2024 appropriations to 2025: approved (voice vote). - Recurring transfer from education fund to operations fund (2025): approved (voice vote). - Transfer appropriation for newly designated curriculum materials fund: approved (voice vote). - Request for proposals (construction manager as constructor): approved (motion passed; mover Ms. Schlatter; second Ms. Chaffee). - Request for proposals (architectural services for CTE facility and transportation facility renovation): approved (voice vote). - Purchases approved: student and staff devices from Electronic Strategies ($960,897.50); administration center server from ForceTech ($135,896.20); bus purchases totaling $1,357,965 (six 78‑passenger IC buses plus two 14‑passenger buses); resolution declaring surplus vehicles for auction.
Why it matters Approving the RFPs and related budget measures clears key procurement and planning steps for projects the district has prioritized, including a career-technical/alternative-education facility and a transportation facility renovation. The recurring transfer and carry‑forward actions preserve budget flexibility as staff prepare a more detailed budget analysis in February.
Context and next steps CFO Basham said the District—s fund balance is close to the board—s target (16.9% vs. an 18% goal) and that the district will present a more detailed budget analysis next month. The board authorized staff to advertise the construction manager and architect RFPs; those procurements will be handled pursuant to Indiana Code and the district—s procurement procedures.
Sources: Board meeting presentation and motions recorded on Jan. 13, 2025. Quotes drawn from remarks by Brian Basham and Superintendent Michael Parker during the finance and business agenda items.
