Forest Grove board approves supplemental HERS transfer, roof project, property purchase and other items in Dec. 9 meeting

Forest Grove, Ore. — In its Dec. 9 meeting the Forest Grove School District board approved a slate of budget and procurement actions, including a supplemental budget resolution to move HERS reserves into a newly created HERS side account, multiple contract awards for bond and facility work, and a property purchase to support the district's Viking House program.

Director Flutes introduced supplemental budget resolution 25-26R01, saying the district would allocate $5,000,000 from its HERS reserve account and accept a state employer incentive match that will place about $6,200,000 into a new HERS side account. Because the award arrived after adoption of the district budget, the transfer required a supplemental appropriation; the board voted to approve the resolution.

The board also approved several procurement items:

- Taylor Way security upgrades with Convergent for $89,842 (approved) — Convergent was awarded the RFP in 2023 as the district security provider.

- Burnhill classroom furniture from Virco for $56,746.37 (approved) — furniture for four new classrooms tied to bond-funded additions; board members asked whether existing warehouse stock could be reused before purchasing new items.

- Echo School roof replacement with Garland DBS Inc. for $1,426,124 (approved) — the project uses remaining bond funds and includes a 10% contingency to allow for water assessment change orders.

- Purchase of Lot 1 (parcel reference given in the packet) for the Viking House program for $150,000 (approved) — board members said the lot will provide a one-year bridge while a larger Beal Road property subdivision proceeds.

Other approvals included an amendment to the district's audio/visual contract (commons and gym upgrades) not to exceed $900,000 (includes contingency), a contracted temporary speech-language pathologist up to $70,000, and approval of an out-of-state trip for the Forest Grove High School cheer team to compete in Las Vegas (Feb. 18–22; cost $24,870 paid from the ASB account).

Board members voted these items individually or by voice motion as presented; roll-call votes were used where the item was contested or a member requested it. No item in this slate was rejected at the meeting.

The board moved on after votes to continue discussion of legislative priorities and other agenda items.