Franklin Pierce board reviews budget, flags bus delays and approves surplus vehicle and overnight trips

District finance staff told the Franklin Pierce School Board that the general fund received $8,700,000 in property tax revenue in March and that the district remains "in the black" for the month.

During the budget-status report staff said the district had ordered eight buses two years ago; four never arrived and three more are expected soon. The finance director said the transportation expenditure line will need a budget extension because the current appropriation does not cover the cost of newly scheduled bus deliveries; staff will bring a resolution to the board and submit the changes to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for approval. "We just got property tax of 8,700,000. So we are in the black," the finance staff said.

The board approved surplusing van number 103 after maintenance staff explained the vehicle had sat out of service, had rodent damage to wiring and required repairs costing several thousand dollars. Staff said the district will first attempt to auction the vehicle on GovDeals.

The board also approved an out-of-state overnight field-trip request described as an on-site team-building overnight at a local dome for a football team; a student director recorded an abstention and the board otherwise approved the request by voice vote.

The meeting recessed into an executive session "for the purpose of hearing a complaint brought against the staff member by a parent," citing district policy; the board returned to the open meeting at 10 p.m. and adjourned.

Finance staff said they will return in June with a budget-resolution to adjust the transportation line and record OSPI submission.