School board approves FY26 budget, long-range facility plans and $39.99 million bond question for special election

Tri-City United School District trustees approved a slate of fiscal, facilities and program actions during their regular board meeting, including preliminary adoption of the fiscal year 2026 budget and a resolution to place a $39,990,000 general obligation bond question on the Nov. 4, 2025 special-election ballot.

The board voted 6-0 to approve the district’s preliminary fiscal year 2026 budget and adopted the district’s fiscal year 2027 long-term facilities maintenance (LTFM) 10-year plan. Trustees also authorized the district’s proportionate participation in Southwest Metro Intermediate School District 288 LTFM and safe-school program budgets, actions the board said will be included in the district’s applications for related revenue.

Board members approved multiple routine consent items and program actions including approval of minutes, personnel changes, routine contracts and monthly bills. The board passed a resolution accepting several donations, approved coaches and advisers for the 2025–26 school year, authorized 2025–26 high school fundraisers and overnight trips, and adopted updates to the district activities handbook.

In a roll-call resolution introduced and passed during the meeting, the board determined it necessary to bond for “acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities” and called a special election for Nov. 4, 2025 on the question of issuing general obligation bonds in the amount of $39,990,000.

Other approved items included acceptance of an Alonzo Community Foundation award of $3,963.43 and a $4,000 CTE grant from a computer financial donor for high school career and technical education courses. The motion to approve the list of coaches and advisers carried 5–0 with one abstention noted for board member Josh on that vote.

The meeting closed after the board moved to adjourn at 5:48 p.m.

Votes at a glance: - Motion to approve the agenda: moved by Marcia Craft, seconded by Chris Blesock; outcome: passed 6–0. - Consent agenda (minutes, personnel, contracts, bills and finance report): moved by Trevor (board member), seconded by Sue Yoder; outcome: passed 6–0. - Acceptance of donations resolution (listed donors include Tim and Addie Biesick, Montgomery Fire Department, Joshua Neubauer Memorial Fund, Nick Matthews): introduced by Hillary Birtzel, seconded by Chris Wustach; outcome: passed 6–0 (roll call recorded yes votes from the six board members present). - Fiscal year 2026 preliminary budget adoption: motion by Marcia Craft, seconded by Chris Lussock; outcome: passed 6–0. - Adoption of FY27 LTFM 10-year plan: introduced by Hillary Birtzel, seconded by Marcia Craft; outcome: passed 6–0 (roll call recorded yes votes from the six board members present). - Authorization to include district share of Southwest Metro ISD 288 LTFM and Safe School programs in district applications: introduced by Hillary Birtzel, seconded by board members; outcome: passed 6–0. - Approval of coaches and advisers for 2025–26 school year: motion by Marcia Craft, seconded by Susie Ripps; outcome: passed 5–0 with 1 abstention (Josh abstained). - Approval of 2025–26 high school fundraisers: moved by Hillary Birtzel, seconded by Chris Blesock; outcome: passed 6–0. - Approval of 2025–26 high school overnight trips: moved by Trevor Hone, seconded by Chris Busack; outcome: passed 6–0. - Adoption of 2025–26 activities handbook updates: moved by Susie Ripps, seconded by Hillary Birtzel; outcome: passed 6–0. - Resolution determining necessity of issuing general obligation bonds of $39,990,000 and calling a Nov. 4, 2025 special election: introduced by Hillary Birtzel, seconded by Marcia Craft; outcome: passed 6–0 (roll call recorded yes votes from the six board members present). - Approval of Alonzo Community Foundation grant acceptance ($3,963.43): motion by Trevor Hone; outcome: passed 6–0. - Acceptance of $4,000 CTE grant: motion by Susie Ripps, seconded by Hillary Birtzel; outcome: passed 6–0.

The board adjourned at 5:48 p.m.