Board approves textbook purchases, contract amendments and capital items; auditors give unmodified opinion

At its Oct. 13 meeting the Forest Hills Board of Education approved a consent package that included multiple curriculum purchases, contract amendments and capital expenditures and accepted the district's audited financial statements.

Key items approved by roll call vote included a one-year subscription to the Connected Mathematics Project (amount not to exceed $49,350 from the general fund) for a curriculum review; an amendment to the Parkway Electric and Communications contract to add CareHawk safety units (an increase not to exceed $250,000 charged to 2021 and 2023 capital projects); a one-year extension for snow removal with Katyberg Verde (amount not to exceed $292,065 from the general fund); paving work with A1 Asphalt Incorporated ($80,100 from 2023 capital projects); furniture purchases for Forest Hills Central media center (not to exceed $101,170 from 2025 capital projects); and a refunded property tax payment listed for $76,971.42. The board also approved the district's audited financial statements, which received an unmodified opinion.

The nut graf: the items approved cover routine capital maintenance, safety-equipment placement and curriculum updates; the unmodified auditor opinion and a June 2025 fund balance of about 21% of annual expenditures were highlighted by staff as indicators of fiscal health going into the next budget cycle.

Finance director Dr. Michaud (identified in the meeting) summarized the construction updates and explained that principals are collaborating across buildings on design themes as multiple projects move to bid. The board heard that the district identified gaps in initial CareHawk placements and is adding units in noninstructional buildings such as the Fine Arts Center, Aquatic Center and transportation facilities so the entire district maintains consistent safety coverage.

The board also approved the audited financial statements (audit firm name transcribed as Manner Kesterason) with an "unmodified" opinion. Staff reported that year-end variance resulted in a June 2025 fund balance of about 21% of annual expenditures, which the presenter described as higher than anticipated and "healthy." The presentation noted that expense-side variance was larger than the 10-year average but that the net effect increased the district fund balance.

Superintendent remarks during the meeting noted that the state's foundational allowance was advertised as a 4.6% increase for the district but, after reductions and changes (including an estimated $700,000 retirement cost shift to the district), the district expects something closer to a 2.5% net increase; staff also raised concerns about new stipulations tied to mental health and school safety dollars and noted continued uncertainty about future year funding. The superintendent said free meals will continue for the remainder of the school year.

Public comment at the meeting included a student petition asking the district to restore two certified athletic trainers at Forest Hills Northern; a resident raising pedestrian-safety concerns for Knapp Forest Elementary because there is no continuous sidewalk from a nearby bike path; and a speaker urging review of explicit sexual content in school libraries and citing academic literature on media exposure and adolescent attitudes. Board staff said those who requested follow-up would receive it from administrators.

Ending: All consent items were approved by roll call; no items were tabled. Several public commenters requested follow-up; staff pledged administrative responses to those who asked for them.