Finance and facilities committee approves stadium lighting control upgrade; flags backpack program funding

The MS 86 finance and facilities committee reported to the full board that it approved a stadium lighting-control upgrade and discussed several facility and finance items at its Dec. 12 meeting.

Committee members approved a proposal from Athletics Director Curtis to update lighting control systems for stadium fields. The system enables remote operation of field lighting; the committee approved using existing gate funding to pay the $13,125 project cost. The committee report said the work is expected to occur in spring 2025.

The committee reviewed accounts payable, the top 25 expenditures for the past month, and a financial dashboard the business manager described as "green light" and on track. The committee noted the district's backpack program fund balance was low; the business manager suggested using abandoned graduating-class accounts that retain small balances to supplement the program. Committee members agreed to the approach and planned to present the proposal to the full board.

Facilities updates included completion of a septic repair in Hollis, ongoing playground parts and slide repairs, and a planned well connection at Bonneagle Middle School with work to be completed by summer 2025 pending submittals. The committee received a no-cost energy-efficiency audit proposal from Energy Efficiency Investments (presenter Carrie Warms) that would review schools and guarantee performance savings; committee members indicated interest in pursuing the audit and will bring more information to the full board.

The committee adjourned at 4:40 p.m. on Dec. 12; the finance and facilities report was submitted for the board's information at the Jan. 21 meeting.