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Board approves asbestos abatement bid, prepares FY27 budget and discusses legislative pressure on schools
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Summary
At the meeting the board approved an asbestos-abatement bid, authorized preparation of the FY27 tentative budget, voted to admit nonresident tuition students, and discussed state bills on cell phones, AI opt-outs and unfunded mandates that could affect district budgets.
Trustees moved through several action items and policy discussions at the Morton CUSD 709 board meeting.
Procurement and facilities: The board approved the base bid from Colfax Corporation for asbestos removal (presented as $127,000 in the bid packet) including the alternate to remove asbestos from the junior-high stage. Trustees questioned a large spread among the three bids and asked staff to follow up with the architect and construction manager about whether scope or pricing variances might prompt change orders.
Budget and fees: Administration recommended a modest increase to student meal prices (proposed 10¢) and a larger minimal increase for adult meals (proposed 15¢). Building-rental fees were proposed to increase by $5 (and additional higher-tier rental fees by $10) to better cover onsite manpower costs amid rising minimum wages. The board approved a resolution authorizing the CFO to prepare the FY27 tentative budget; final adoption will occur at the September board meeting after the usual summer review period.
Admissions and consent items: The board approved motions to admit nonresident tuition students into district programs and approved the consent agenda as presented. For each item the board conducted roll-call votes and the clerk recorded affirmative votes.
Legislative concerns: Trustees heard a report from the district’s legislative advocacy day in Springfield. Board representatives raised funding concerns tied to mandated categoricals (transportation and special education transportation), noting large local funding gaps when state reimbursements are partial. Board members also discussed HB4416 (unemployment benefits for educational support personnel during extended breaks), estimating a substantial potential local cost if enacted, and SB3735 (parent opt-out and AI/human-review provisions). The board asked staff to continue monitoring legislation and to prepare local policies in anticipation of statewide changes to cell-phone and technology requirements.
Next steps recorded included follow-up from facilities staff about bid disparities, committee reviews of instructional technology ROI, and continued monitoring of pending bills at the statehouse.
