Board approves FY‑27 capital improvement requests; district emphasizes built‑to‑learn funding and portables for interim needs

The Washington County Board of Education approved the district’s FY‑27 state and local capital improvement program (CIP) requests on Sept. 22 after staff outlined proposed projects, state participation assumptions and a strategy to request higher state funding in order to keep projects in the queue.

District staff said the CIP includes continued construction funding for the Downsville Pike Elementary School (project sometimes referenced as Downesville/Dansville in materials), design and initial funding requests for a Jonathan Hager Elementary School addition and systemic capital maintenance projects including roof, chiller and HVAC replacements. The district’s presentation noted the state now allows higher participation on eligible construction costs in some cases and that the built‑to‑learn act provides roughly $19 million toward the Downsville Pike project.

“Even though the cost is lower, state participation is up,” Mr. Rollins, who presented the CIP details, said of the Downsville Pike project, noting local funding needs decreased by about $4 million after recent bid results. He also told the board the district’s estimate for the Downsville project fell from about $51 million to roughly $48 million.

District staff said the FY‑27 state request totals about $28 million (including roughly $8 million from Built to Learn Act funds and $20 million from the state CIP) and local funding of about $9.7 million, bringing the total request to approximately $38 million. Staff cautioned the $20 million state request is higher than typical single‑year awards but said it is appropriate to state needs for projects that may be funded later in the budget cycle.

Board members asked about temporary housing if student attendance zones change before construction finishes. Staff said leased portable classrooms—whose leasing and utility connection costs the district expects the state to cover in this instance—are the planned interim solution and would reduce local cash needs compared with buying portables outright. Officials noted hiring an architect and completing design work will determine timing; even with fast procurement, some additions would likely not be finished within a single school year and portables would be needed for interim housing.

The board voted unanimously to adopt the FY‑27 priorities for the general fund budget (1. culture, safety and wellness; 2. student success; 3. access and opportunity; 4. community engagement) and then to approve the CIP plan for submission to state and local partners.

District staff asked the board to consider forward funding for early design work on the Jonathan Hager addition if local approvals are required before state payments are available; staff said such forward funding would be reimbursed once CIP allocations are received.

The board’s action keeps lengthy multi‑year projects moving through state review while allowing staff to adjust timing and scope depending on actual appropriations.