Blaine County School District board accepts clean audit, approves landscaping split, bus purchase and donated scoreboard
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Summary
Trustees accepted an unmodified FY2025 audit and approved multiple contracts and purchases — splitting landscaping work between two vendors to save about $100,000, buying a rear‑engine activity bus for $236,793 (including warranty), and accepting a $25,000 donation for a soccer scoreboard; the Hailey Rotary waiver request was declined.
The Blaine County School District Board of Trustees on Nov. 10 accepted an unmodified opinion on the district’s FY2025 financial statements and single audit, and approved several operational contracts and purchases expected to reduce near‑term costs.
Brady Workman of Workman & Co. told trustees, “This year, we’ve issued an unmodified opinion,” the highest level of assurance auditors give on financial statements and on federally funded programs. Workman said auditors found no adjustments that needed to be made to the district’s financial statements other than a minor item drawn from Percy records that staff had already accounted for.
The board then moved to several action items the district expects will affect operating costs. Director Benyon presented results from a district‑wide landscaping Request for Proposals, saying three contractors attended a pre‑bid walkthrough and two submitted bids. He recommended splitting campus contracts so Clearwater Landscaping would take Bellevue, Haley and Wood River Middle School and Turpin Tree Care LLC would take Carries/Alturas/Fox Acres; Benyon said the change should “shave just in contract pricing along with what we paid, over a $100,000.” Trustees questioned how the district would control add‑on charges and markup rates; Benyon said the bid documents now specify hourly rates and material markups to reduce surprises. The board approved the split by voice vote.
On transportation, the activities director reported a single responsive bid for a rear‑engine activity bus: $230,093 for the bus plus an optional extended‑warranty package of $6,700, for a total recommendation of $236,793. The director said the price came in below the board’s budget estimate and that the vendor projected fourth‑quarter 2026 delivery. Trustees approved the purchase from Western Mountain Bus and Auto Sales, including the extended warranty.
Trustees also accepted a private donation of roughly $25,000 to fund a scoreboard at Founders Field for Wood River High School soccer. Superintendent staff said the donor requested no advertising and the donation will cover the scoreboard; facilities staff said power will be brought from the bus garage and ongoing maintenance should be minimal. The board voted to accept the donation.
Separately, the board declined a facility‑use fee waiver request from the Hailey Rotary Club. Finance and policy committees recommended applying the district’s updated fee schedule, which provides a nonprofit discount; trustees voted to deny the requested full waiver.
Votes at a glance: - Approve FY2025 audit — approved (voice). - Award split landscaping contracts (Clearwater Landscaping; Turpin Tree Care LLC) — approved (voice). - Purchase rear‑engine activity bus (Western Mountain Bus and Auto Sales) for $236,793 (including extended warranty) — approved (voice). - Accept $25,000 donation for Founders Field scoreboard — approved (voice). - Decline Hailey Rotary facility‑use fee waiver — approved (voice).
What’s next: staff will proceed with contract paperwork and arrangements for equipment delivery and scoreboard installation. The board moved into an executive session later in the meeting and adjourned after that session.