Springfield R‑XII board hears FY27 budget outlook, approves insurance, master plan, copier lease and track bid
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Summary
At its April meeting the Springfield R‑XII Board received a high‑level FY27 budget update and approved a 15‑month insurance renewal, selected Capital AE for a $657,240 facility master plan, awarded a copier lease and maintenance contract to Marco Technologies, and accepted a $1,177,000 bid for track renovations.
The Springfield R‑XII Board of Education on Wednesday received an overview of FY27 budget development and approved several contracts and project bids, including an insurance renewal and a facility master plan recommendation.
Miss Stacell, who led the budget presentation, told the board the district is operating under the FY26 budget while preparing a final FY27 recommendation for June 23 to meet Missouri statutory requirements and board policy DB. She said local and state revenue together make up nearly 90% of operating support, about 60% of the district's revenue is locally funded, and roughly 80% of expenditures are for salary and benefits. "Budget development is driven by our strategic plan," she said, and flagged risks including possible reductions in state transportation aid, uncertainty in Prop C appropriations, and declining interest income.
Those concerns framed board questions about how changes to weighted average daily attendance (WADA/WAM) and shifts in Prop C calculations may affect district receipts. Stacell said the district reported an unrestricted ending fund balance of 28.58% last June and that projections in March showed about 25.32%, adding that board policy calls for a 15% minimum and the strategic plan target is 17%. "So we're a long ways away from that," she said, cautioning the board about the pace of potential declines if the district taps one‑time funds to smooth near‑term spending.
On action items, the board approved a recommendation from the district's broker and staff to align several insurance renewals with the July 1 fiscal year by purchasing a 15‑month package for multiple lines. Dr. Shaw described the proposal as a combined premium of $2,048,468 for commercial property, inland marine, cyber liability and crime, fiduciary liability and foreign liability covering 04/01/2026 through 06/30/2027, plus a $157,128 three‑month extension charge for certain lines. The board approved the renewal as presented.
The board unanimously selected Capital AE to perform the district's facility master plan and demographic/boundary study, a once‑every‑10‑year effort. Dr. Shaw said the recommended fee is $657,240 and that about $50,000 of the fee is the demographic component. He described the selection process, the firm's experience and partners, and said community engagement will be a major part of the scope.
On procurement, the board approved a contract with Marco Technologies to lease and maintain the district's copier fleet. Bruce Douglas, who presented the recommendation, said the district will phase in color copiers and that the contract structure is a three‑year agreement with two optional one‑year extensions; the committee cited an estimated 230 copiers districtwide. The materials provided estimated multi‑year costs based on projected print volumes and lease terms.
The board also accepted a low bid from Crossland Construction of $1,177,000 to renovate the track and field at Lafayette Park adjacent to Reed Middle School, with work expected to finish before the upcoming school year. Dr. Shaw said the project scope was expanded to improve the track shape, add lanes and field event areas, include ADA access and a fence for student safety; he said bond funds will cover the increased cost.
Other board business included approving consent agenda items (minutes, KCOP reports, personnel and treasurer reports) and several bond change orders and agreements totaling $223,639 for projects such as an intercom at the Ag Academy and playground work tied to school moves.
The board announced upcoming meetings (a study session and reorganizational meeting on April 14 and a regular meeting on April 28) and heard brief remarks from the superintendent about community events and polling sites for the April 7 election. The meeting adjourned with routine votes on motions taken by voice or roll call.
Votes at a glance - Approval of meeting agenda: motion reported as passing (roll call recorded as "motion passes 6 nothing"). - Consent agenda (items 4.01'4.04): recorded as 5 in favor, 0 against, 1 abstention. - Insurance renewal (04/01/2026''to 06/30/2027): approved (vote recorded as "motion carries 6 nothing"). - Capital AE, facility master planning services (fee $657,240): approved (vote recorded as "motion carries 6 nothing"). - Marco Technologies, copier lease/maintenance (3 years + 2 optional 1‑year extensions): approved (vote recorded as "motion carries 6 nothing"). - Bond change orders and agreements totaling $223,639: approved (vote recorded as "motion carries 6 nothing"). - 8‑foot sidewalk easement to City of Springfield at Bissett Elementary: approved (vote recorded as "motion carries 6 nothing"). - Crossland Construction track renovation bid, $1,177,000: approved (vote recorded as "motion carries 6 nothing").
What happens next: Staff will return with a formal FY27 budget recommendation in June, the district will finalize 12‑month insurance renewals to align with the July 1 fiscal year in May, and the facility master plan work will proceed through community engagement and phased deliverables over the coming months.
