Board backs using referendum fund balance for one-time South Marion High startup costs
Summary
Staff outlined an estimated $350,000 for athletic uniforms and equipment and said instruments and other course materials will be purchased with referendum funds from the roll-forward balance; the committee expressed support for one-time use and asked staff to ensure purchases do not create recurring obligations.
District staff presented the committee with startup needs for the new South Marion High School opening this August in Marion Oaks, explaining that a brand-new campus requires one-time purchases for athletics, band and course equipment. Staff reported they had priced uniforms and equipment for boys and girls programs at roughly $350,000 and said instrument purchases are also included in the startup list for band and music classes.
The staff member presenting said the district's interpretation is that athletic equipment and uniforms fall within the referendum's allowable uses as an extension of physical education, and proposed using roll-forward fund balance (about $13 million reported) to cover one-time startup costs so that ongoing program budgets would not be affected. Committee members asked whether purchases would be paid from fund balance and whether the one-time expense would infringe on other programs; staff confirmed the expenses would come from roll-forward funds, be one-time and not detract from the previously described program budgets.
A number of members signaled support for using referendum fund balance for these one-time start-up purchases. One member observed that if future new high schools are opened, similar expenses would need to be considered then. No formal vote authorizing the specific purchases was recorded in the transcript; committee members provided feedback and directed staff to move forward with procurement only where allowable and consistent with ballot language.
