McPherson USD 418 approves lease-purchase for HVAC, keeps meal prices and schedules strategic plan review

The McPherson Unified School District 418 Board on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing a lease-purchase transaction to pay for replacement heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment at Washington and Eisenhower schools, voted to maintain current student meal prices and set a special meeting to review the district—s draft strategic plan.

The board approved the lease-purchase after staff told the board the existing HVAC units at Washington and Eisenhower had passed their life expectancy and, if they failed during winter months, could force school closures. Staff said equipment would begin to be delivered the day after Memorial Day and installation was planned through June and July.

Board members were told the total equipment and installation cost came in under $675,000. Enterprise Bank submitted the successful financing bid at an interest rate of 4.45 percent. Staff estimated the district—s average annual payment under the lease-purchase would be roughly $63,550; the board was told those payments are expected to be paid from the district—s capital outlay fund.

The motion the board approved read in part: "Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing Unified School District number 418 of McPherson to enter into a lease purchase transaction. The proceeds of which will be used to pay the cost of acquiring, equipping, and installing certain improvements and approving the execution of certain documents in connection there." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote; no roll call was recorded on the transcript.

The board also set a special meeting for Tuesday, April 22, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. to continue review of the draft strategic plan. Staff asked trustees to send questions and requests for clarification before that special meeting so the board can verify connections between stakeholder feedback and plan language.

On facilities planning, the board—s facility committee reported that the district issued a request for qualifications for a new architect after the district transitioned away from its prior architect in March. Committee members said roughly six to seven architecture firms had expressed interest by direct email, most regional, and that proposals are due at the end of the month; interviews will follow and a recommendation is expected to return to the board for action or update.

On food service, staff recommended no change to student meal prices for the coming year. Bill Graves (presenter on meal services) and other staff said they had pursued purchasing efficiencies and changes to the summer meal program format that they anticipate will increase participation; staff said a summer meal application should be submitted to the state this week. The board was reminded that summer meals are a separate program and are free for children ages 1 through 18. Staff encouraged families to complete meal-benefit applications at any time if household circumstances change.

Administratively, the board approved routine business including payment of bills and voted to go into executive session to discuss proposals in contract negotiations with teachers under the exception for employer-employee negotiations in the Kansas Open Meetings Act; the executive session was scheduled to include the board, the superintendent, assistant superintendent and the executive director of special education.

Next steps noted by the board included executing the lease-purchase documents, interviewing architecture firms responding to the RFP, finalizing summer meal program approvals with the state and holding the April 22 special meeting to finalize the strategic plan draft.