Board approves bills and claims, hears construction updates and approves personnel items

At its meeting the Brandon Valley School Board approved routine financial items, received a month-end financial report, and heard updates on multiple capital projects.

The board approved bills and claims after the district’s financial staff presented the packet. The district reported "Total bills and claims submitted to you for approval tonight, $2,103,208," and listed notable items including a Pesca Construction invoice for $1,125,000 (payment number 4 on the project), a half-year school resource officer payment to the City of Bridal for $42,000, and a US Bank bond payment of $403,000 tied to Inspiration Elementary and Intermediate School certificates.

Mr. Lindbergh presented the cash and investment report for December, reporting beginning cash of $40,068,000, receipts of $4,145,000 and disbursements of $8,448,000, leaving $35,765,000. He detailed fund balances including just under $9,000,000 in the general fund, $2,676,000 in the capital fund, $1,100,000 in the Special Aid Fund and just under $23,000,000 in the project fund. Lindbergh said payroll for December totaled $3,007,000 and that food service showed a net loss of $204,000 through December.

Superintendent Larson updated the board on capital projects. He said Pesca Construction is the contractor on Burkman Valley Elementary; “The gymnasium precast is all up except one panel,” and workers have begun setting precast panels for the transportation department. Larson said project completion is scheduled for June 26 with the building open for the fall of 2026. On the Brandon Valley Middle School classroom addition he said the district anticipated bidding the project “hopefully, early in February” with construction starting this spring and continuing through the 2025–26 school year; estimated costs discussed were in the $6 million to $7.2 million range with potential additional HVAC work included.

Under general business the board approved a block of routine items (items 3–8 as listed on the agenda) and, under personnel, approved items 1–21. A board member commended the board’s support for the internship program that places students in district internships.

The proposed 2025–26 academic calendar was presented for review; the presentation requires no action at this meeting. The draft calendar sets staff in-service in mid-August and begins the school year on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025; it preserves a snow/comp day on March 13, 2026, and includes the district’s traditional scheduling around Thanksgiving and spring break.

The board closed the meeting after routine reports and an adjournment motion. No public-comment speakers registered to speak at this meeting.