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Huron Valley Schools superintendent clarifies 2024 bond aims and outlines April spending items
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Salah told the board the 2019 bond funded $182 million of a longer master plan, that COVID increased costs about 40%, and that bond dollars cannot pay salaries; administrators previewed April 15 items including Chromebooks, 7 buses ($1,008,658), pool scoreboards ($170,760), Time Clock Plus ($155,000 + annual fees), Bogie Lake powerhouse work (~$867,807) and a Lakewood ASD playground (~$69,448 + contingency).
Superintendent Dr. Salah used the March 18 Huron Valley Schools Board meeting to clarify how bond dollars are used and to preview several capital purchases the board will consider for final approval on April 15.
“Bond dollars are not for salaries or curricular materials,” Dr. Salah said, summarizing a point he said has generated community questions. He reminded the board that the district’s building-features committee identified more than $400 million in needs in 2018 but the 2019 bond that voters approved totaled $182,000,000; he said COVID increased construction costs by roughly 40 percent, meaning the district could not complete every item on the master list.
Dr. Salah and district staff outlined specific spending items that will be presented for board action at the April 15 meeting. Highlights presented to the board included:
- A computer refresh: Mr. Taverner said the district plans to replace about 400 desktop teacher/office computers, provide roughly 600 Chromebooks for eighth graders and replace about 1,200 elementary Chromebooks; the item was presented as a first read with pricing to be finalized (exhibit written as “not to exceed”).
- Bus purchases: Finance staff detailed a proposed purchase of seven additional general-education diesel buses in a cooperative purchase totaling $1,008,658 (Midwest Transit Corporation plus MSBO cooperative fees); administration said this would bring the district’s purchases to 27 buses since the prior bond series began.
- Competitive-pool scoreboards: The district plans to contract Daktronics to supply and install digital scoreboards for the high school pools; district materials list a purchase price of $148,000, a $5,000 painting allowance and a 12-percent contingency ($17,760) for a $170,760 total.
- Timekeeping and attendance: The district proposed Time Clock Plus from Power Schools Group LLC for $155,000 for the period April 5, 2024, through Jan. 30, 2025, with ongoing annual fees of $47,000 (subject to a 3-percent uplift beginning Jan. 1, 2025); administration said the system integrates with HR and accounting software and will include new clocks and ID-based swiping.
- Bogie Lake Campus powerhouse work: A Clark Construction change-order package totaling roughly $867,807 (including contingency and general conditions) was previewed for approval on April 15 to complete additional powerhouse repairs and related work.
- Lakewood ASD playground: A Snyder Recreation quote for ASD-specific playground equipment totaled $69,448 plus a 12-percent contingency (~$78,000); district staff said additional ASD playground purchases for other elementary schools are pending vendor quotes and expected this summer.
Students and community members heard the preview and several students voiced support for the bond. Lakeland student-leader Paul Baker said he plans to vote yes and encouraged others to do the same.
Administrators said they will update pricing and return with final contract documents for the April 15 meeting.
