Blackhawk School Board approves consent agenda, signals intent to apply for state facilities grant for Patterson Elementary

The Blackhawk School Board approved a consent agenda Feb. 19 that includes a resolution to apply for the state Public School Facilities Improvement Grant and other routine business.

The board chair opened the meeting, led the Pledge of Allegiance and moved to place multiple voting items on a consolidated consent agenda. "I would like to make a motion that we move the rest of the voting and agenda items to the agenda," the chair said; a staff member seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken and the chair announced, "Motion carries." The chair also announced the board had eight of nine members present.

The board discussed agenda item 14.1, a resolution indicating the district's intent to apply for the state's Public School Facilities Improvement Grant. Clyde, the district communications representative, summarized general information for the public and noted there were no signed public commenters on the agenda. The superintendent spoke at length about the grant parameters and the district's plan to prioritize Patterson Elementary.

The superintendent said the state program sets a range for awards and local match requirements, noting, "The grant, can be no more than 5,000,000 or less than 500,000, and the district has to commit 25% of funds, matching funds, to that." He said the district drafted an application for about $4.3 million that would require roughly $1 million in local matching funds if the full amount were awarded, and that projects eligible under the grant include roofing, windows, HVAC and ADA compliance work.

When a board member asked whether the board would be bound to accept an award if offered, the superintendent said the board would have to formally accept any grant award and that specific project modifications would remain subject to state approval. Board members were told award decisions are expected over the summer and that the district would know approximate amounts by August or September. A staff member asked about the spending timeframe and the superintendent referred to 2029 as the outer year for using funds.

Board members also thanked staff for an executive tour of district facilities related to the project planning. After brief discussion the chair called the question on the consent agenda; the board approved the package, and the chair set the next regular meeting for March 12, 2021.

The board's action at this meeting was to approve the consent agenda and to authorize submission of a grant application expressing the district's intent to apply for funding; any actual acceptance of grant funds would require a subsequent formal board acceptance and may be modified by the state.