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Board signs off on Sontz textbook adoption and reallocates funds for health supplies, technology and Briarwood repairs
Summary
The board approved Sontz textbook adoptions as part of the consent agenda; staff said the package (grades 3–12 plus workbooks and online materials) runs about $500,000. Separately the board approved budget resolutions shifting money for medical supplies, a technology E‑Rate match and repairs to a flooded Briarwood basement.
The Benton County Board of Education approved the Sontz textbook adoption on the consent agenda and approved budget resolutions that reallocated funds for medical supplies, technology work tied to an E‑Rate match and repairs at Briarwood after a basement flooding.
During discussion before the vote a board member thanked the textbook adoption team and said the adoption covers grades 3 through 12 and includes student texts, workbooks and online materials. The board member estimated the total cost of textbooks and accompanying materials at “about a half a million dollars” and said adopted materials are expected to remain in use for eight years.
Director Mark Florence described the budget resolution items the board approved. He said the district moved $19,000 from insurance into health services to purchase medical supplies; that district staff reallocated roughly $40,000 into technology contracted services to meet what Florence described as the district’s E‑Rate match (he said the district match is about $30,000); and that a separate resolution addresses facility repairs after a basement flooding at Briarwood. Florence said initial insurance payments did not cover the full cost; the recorded claim figure discussed in the meeting was $16,090 and staff submitted an additional claim for $9,600 as repair costs continued to come in.
Board members also discussed HVAC work installed at Briarwood (mini‑split units). Florence said the mini‑splits have performed well and an out‑of‑area engineer is preparing drawings so the district can bid broader work in time for summer. The board discussed the practical limits of finishing the work before school starts and noted some ongoing repair work for cafeteria roll‑up doors and field lighting.
The budget resolutions passed by roll call were unanimous (12–0). Board members scheduled a follow-up Budget Committee meeting for Thursday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. so staff can present updated projections.
Quotations and attributions in this article come from meeting remarks recorded in the board’s public minutes and from Director Mark Florence and board members who spoke during the discussion.
