Board approves video board, school roofing, upgrades, grants and extends superintendent contract; calendar accepted on first reading

At its March meeting the Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education unanimously approved a package of donations, grants, construction bids and other items, and later extended the superintendent's contract for two additional years.

Key votes at a glance (all votes recorded as 6–0 unless noted):

- Agenda adoption: Motion from Greg; second from Christine. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- Consent agenda: Motion from Jamie; second from Carla. The consent agenda included approval of minutes for Feb. 19 and Feb. 26, consideration of bills, the human-resources report (including the retirement of transportation mechanic Patrick Cyr, effective March 7, 2025), and multiple donations and grants totaling $46,561.93. The consent agenda also included authorization for an MHS BPA trip to Orlando, Florida. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- Video board installation at Bishop Stadium: Final approval to accept a donation from the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and to award installation proposals to Economy Electric ($12,240) and JS Signs ($32,500). Motion by Carla; second Jamie. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- Frank Bergman Elementary outdoor public art (GMCF Deal Community Arts Grant Fund): Approved acceptance of a grant agreement in the amount of $30,000 to support an outdoor public art project at Frank Bergman Elementary. Motion by Katie; second by a board member. The board clarified earlier paperwork had referenced a $40,000 estimate; staff said final confirmed project cost was $30,000 and any remaining funds will be returned to the foundation. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- Lincoln Education Center backup generator replacement: Awarded to Economy Electric for $105,050. Motion by Carla; second Jamie. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- Ogden Elementary and Manhattan High School roof replacement: Awarded to Diamond Roofing for $1,462,527. Motion by Greg; second Jamie. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- Amanda Arnold Elementary interior upgrades (phase 1): Awarded to Riley Construction for $1,253,362. Motion by Carla; second Katie. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- 2025–26 academic calendar (first reading): Administration recommended opening day on Aug. 12, 2025, and a closing day of May 22, 2026. Motion by Carla to accept on first reading; second Jamie. Outcome: accepted on first reading (6–0); final adoption subject to negotiations.

- Manhattan High School fire alarm upgrade (change order #4): Approved change order to Shelley Electric for $58,536. Motion by Greg; second Carla. Outcome: approved (6–0).

- Other construction and facility items approved in the meeting included bids, change orders and project acceptances presented as consent or new-business items; each passed on unanimous 6–0 votes.

- Superintendent contract extension: After returning from executive session the board voted to extend Superintendent Eric Reid’s contract by two additional years to include the 2026–27 and 2027–28 school years; salary to be determined later. Motion by Carla; second Greg. Outcome: approved (6–0).

Board members did not record individual roll-call votes by name in the meeting minutes provided to the board; outcomes were announced as unanimous where recorded. Several items involved earlier estimates or paperwork that staff clarified during discussion (for example, the Bergman grant paperwork initially stated $40,000 but the confirmed project amount was $30,000).