Board approves consent agenda, security‑system bid advertisement, summer programs and donations

At its meeting, the MSD Southwest Allen County Schools board handled multiple business items and approved several motions by voice vote.

Consent agenda: The board approved the consent agenda (minutes, bills and payments and other routine business). A board member moved approval and the motion carried by voice vote; the transcript records 'aye' responses but does not include a roll‑call tally.

Security camera and surveillance system refresh: Mrs. Libby presented a recommendation to advertise specifications for a district‑wide security camera and surveillance system refresh. The district will advertise this week, with bids due March 18 and a projected completion date of July 15. A motion to authorize advertisement was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; specific vote counts were not recorded in the transcript.

Summer camps and enrichment programs: The board approved the proposed 2026 summer camps and enrichment programs (the packet included added items such as a Falcon cheer camp and a middle‑school volleyball clinic). The motion passed by voice vote.

Donations and impact grants: The board accepted a $2,000 donation from the Haverhill PTC to purchase three televisions and mounting equipment for Haverhill Elementary. The board also accepted several Sachs Foundation Impact Grants recommended by the Education Foundation, including a $1,500 add‑on experience for a Homestead High School Spain trip, Spanish‑language classroom books and Parkview Field experiences, counseling resources tied to Haverhill's programming, and materials/3D printer funding for a Woodside Project Lead The Way class. A foundation representative described the four recipients and the board voted to accept the donations by voice vote.

Financial snapshot: In an earlier report, Mrs. Libby said the January 2026 Education Fund cash balance totaled just over $10.5 million (about 17.5% of the approved education budget); the Operations Fund balance (excluding bond proceeds) was just over $4.1 million (about 16.4% of its approved budget). She reported the first transfer of $500,000 from education to operations and noted the district is spending down bond proceeds. Combined with the rainy‑day fund, the packet showed a total balance of about $12.6 million (roughly 21% of the education fund budget), per the report.

Board comments closed the meeting with a brief note about the state legislative session in Indianapolis and possible 2027 budget cuts and proposed cell‑phone restrictions in schools; the chair then adjourned the meeting.