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Central SD 13J hears audit update and readies decision on possible May bond with $6 million match
Summary
District staff told the board they have an initial audit and will present the final audit in February; the board discussed next steps on a potential May bond measure and a matching grant that could provide up to $6,000,000, and was told a formal decision is needed at the Feb. 3 meeting or by special meeting to meet filing deadlines.
Central School District 13J officials told the board that the district has received an initial fiscal audit and will deliver the final audit to board members and the public in the coming weeks, with a public presentation planned for the board’s February meeting.
At the same meeting staff also updated the board on planning for a possible bond measure. Staff said the district has been approved for a matching grant — characterized in the meeting as an “awesome grant” — that could match up to $6,000,000 if the board chooses to place a bond on the May ballot. Staff emphasized that updated cost estimates, an architect request for proposals and refreshed project numbers are still pending and that much of the underlying cost data dates back about a year and a half.
The superintendent told the board that, to meet election filing deadlines, the board would need to approve placing a measure on the May ballot at its Feb. 3 regular meeting or call a special meeting. Staff said there may be some administrative deadlines later in February (staff referenced Feb. 5 and Feb. 15 as possible cutoffs) but recommended the board act at the Feb. 3 meeting to avoid a special-meeting schedule. The superintendent also said staff will seek updated cost information from the firm that previously prepared estimates and will begin the architect RFP process.
Board members asked that staff return to the board in February with the final audit, updated cost estimates and any recommendation on whether to proceed. No formal motion to place a bond on the ballot was made during the meeting.
Next steps: staff will deliver the final audited financial statements to the board in the coming weeks, present the audit at the Feb. 2025 public meeting, and return with updated bond cost estimates and RFP information ahead of the Feb. 3 decision point.
