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Board adopts preliminary budget option, approves Securly web filter and $50,000 fitness-center funding
Summary
The board approved a preliminary budget (option C), purchased a cloud web-filtering service (Securly) for roughly $11,055 annually, and approved a $50,000 capital-project appropriation for a high-school fitness-center renovation funded from accrued interest and grants.
The McGuffey School Board approved several financial and procurement items during its meeting: the administration's recommended preliminary budget (option C), a contract for a cloud-based web filter (Securly) for 2025–26, and a $50,000 appropriation from the capital projects account for renovation of a high-school fitness center.
Preliminary budget: The business presenter summarized 2024–25 full-year revenue and expenditures and projected that the unassigned fund balance would fall to about $523,000 for 2026–27. After discussion about reserves and potential millage increases, the board voted by roll call to adopt the preliminary budget option C. Administration flagged the need to plan for future years and said additional discussions on tax millage and cost-saving measures will continue.
Technology procurement: Director of technology and transportation Mike Wilson reviewed options to replace a server-based Barracuda web filter with a cloud solution; he recommended Securly for its classroom-management features, analytics, teacher overrides and a parent portal. The board approved the Securly agreement for 2025–26 at a quoted cost of $11,055.
Fitness-center capital funding: The board approved moving $50,000 from the capital projects account (accrued interest balance noted at approximately $144,000) to renovate the high-school fitness center. Administration explained the funding mix: $7,500 (Highmark grant), a T‑Mobile grant ($5,000, partially used), alumni donations and redirecting booster funds and certain service-contract savings; the board approved the appropriation.
Votes and implementation: The preliminary budget was adopted by roll call; the Securly contract and fitness-center appropriation passed on voice votes. Administration will finalize vendor contracts and scheduling and continue outreach to potential sponsors for the fitness project.
What to watch next: Trustees said the board will continue conversations about millage, reserve levels and the budget plan for 2026–27. The technology rollout for Securly will be scheduled before the 2025–26 school year and administrators said they will brief parents about optional portal features before any home use is enabled.
