Gary board approves textbook fund transfer, RFP for fiber network, policy updates and grouped consent items

The Gary Community School Corporation board approved several administrative and operational items during its November meeting, voting unanimously on multiple measures and recording a single abstention on a grouped consent item.

Textbook fund transfer: Finance presenter Linda Zaborowski explained that House Enrolled Act 1001 (2023–2024) bars charging parents textbook rental fees and requires closing the textbook rental fund by Dec. 31. She told the board the balance to move into the education fund is about $2,000,000; the board approved transferring those funds so they remain earmarked for curricular materials, Chromebooks and other student supplies. The motion passed by roll call with five yes votes and no opposition.

District-wide fiber (WAN) RFP: The district’s technology presenter proposed issuing a request for proposals to build a lit fiber wide-area network. He said E-Rate support would subsidize roughly 90% of the project and the district expects to pay about 10%; staff estimated a project cost in the $1.5–2 million range and provided an RFP schedule (release Nov. 14, vendor Q&A by Dec. 3, bids close Dec. 19). The board authorized issuing the RFP by roll call (5 yes, 0 opposition).

Policy adoption: The board gave final approval to the 9000 (community relations), 7000 (property) and 8000 (operations) policy series after a second reading. The presenter highlighted policy 9150 (school visitors) and how policies balance community access with safety procedures. The motion to adopt the three series passed on a roll call vote (5–0).

Grouped items and abstention: Items 6.7 through 6.15 were considered together. The board approved the group with one recorded abstention on item 6.8; the record shows the remainder passed.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution #5 (additional appropriations request): Approved (5 yes, 0 no). - Textbook rental fund transfer to education fund (~$2,000,000): Approved (5–0). - WAN / lit fiber RFP authorization (estimated $1.5–2M; E-Rate funding anticipated): Approved (5–0). - Policy series 9000, 7000, 8000: Adopted (5–0). - Items 6.7–6.15: Approved with one abstention noted for item 6.8.

What it means: The approvals move routine and operational work forward (communications, IT infrastructure planning, policy updates and finance housekeeping). The board did not appropriate construction funds for large capital projects in these votes; authorizations mostly permit staff to seek proposals, transfer existing funds as required by state law, or adopt policy language.

Next steps: Staff will post the RFP and return with vendor responses, execute the textbook fund transfer as required by HEA 1001, and report on implementation of adopted policies and grouped action items at subsequent meetings.