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Board approves budget‑planning steps, new cultural institutions fund and bus‑replacement plan
Summary
Trustees voted to advertise appropriations for the debt service fund, approve advertisement of the capital projects plan and bus replacement plan, shift contracted bus service into the replacement plan, and approved a server‑replacement agreement with SHI; the board also approved a resolution establishing a cultural institutions fund with an initial revenue estimate above $300,000.
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Board of School Trustees on Aug. 25 approved a package of budget‑planning and operational items, including permission to advertise additional appropriations for the debt service fund, authority to advertise the 2026–2028 capital projects plan, and permission to advertise the 2026–2030 bus replacement plan.
Dr. Carl Underwood presented a resolution to establish a cultural institutions fund as part of the 2026 budget planning process, saying the fund would provide continued support to local institutions that offer educational and cultural value. Underwood told trustees he anticipated first‑year revenue "in excess of $300,000" based on tax‑rate estimates and said the money would be distributed to qualifying cultural institutions that reside in Vanderburgh County and meet eligibility criteria.
Board members clarified that the fund is not a request for new funding when advertising appropriations for the debt service fund; Underwood said the district has sufficient cash on hand to satisfy 2025 obligations. Trustees discussed possible uses and limits: the money must go to eligible cultural institutions; PTAs or parent groups cannot be reimbursed for transportation costs unless the cultural institution submits a proposal with reduced transportation expenses.
The board also approved an agreement with SHI International Group to replace aging servers and storage hardware. The motion to approve the SHI agreement was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Other actions taken included approving the advertisement of the capital projects plan and the bus replacement plan and approving a motion to shift contracted bus service (Fair Market Lease) into the bus replacement plan. All motions were carried by voice vote; no roll‑call tallies were provided in the transcript.
Dr. Underwood said the cultural institutions fund would later be administered through a committee that reviews proposals and makes recommendations to the superintendent and board. Trustees said the authorization to advertise is a first step in the planning process and that specific allocations and program details will follow as proposals and criteria are developed.
