Missisquoi Valley School Board approves copier lease, hot-lunch spending, Highgate playground purchase and RISE relocation

The Missisquoi Valley School District #89 board on Tuesday approved a package of operational and facilities actions, including a tax-exempt lease to refinance photocopier equipment, use of hot-lunch surplus dollars for kitchen and food-service capital items, purchase of Highgate playground equipment, and a $130,318 reconfiguration to bring the RISE alternative program onto district campus.

The board voted 8–0 to approve a proposed tax-exempt lease with MST Government Leasing LLC to refinance and fund copier equipment, authorizing up to $259,387 in principal at an interest rate of about 5.09% through Aug. 1, 2031. In a second motion the board authorized the superintendent to execute the lease documents and related agreements with Specialized Purchasing Consultants, Inc.

"We will reduce annual costs and lock in equipment pricing," the administration said while presenting the financing and the amortization schedule. The board approved both formal motions.

The business office also presented a corrective-action-driven plan to spend down a hot-lunch surplus of more than $225,000. The board voted to approve a prioritized list of allowable expenditures (kitchen doors, flooring, walk-in cooler work and related food-service items) so the district can encumber funds and place orders. Administration noted federal and state reimbursement rules require surplus funds be spent on nutrition program infrastructure and supplies.

On capital projects, the board approved purchase of Phase One equipment for the Highgate playground after a presentation by Stacy Coller of the Highgate PTKO. The Phase One package totals about $49,133 (equipment $35,512; freight $1,865; installation $10,000; wood chips $1,755). PTKO reported $36,220 raised to date, leaving roughly $13,185 outstanding. The board agreed to authorize ordering equipment now to lock pricing and postpone installation if the PTKO cannot finish fundraising in the near term; the motion carried 8–0.

"We've raised $36,220 so far," Stacy Coller told the board, and organizers said they would continue capital fundraising and seek business sponsorships and community drives to close the gap.

The board also approved a facilities reconfiguration to relocate the RISE alternative education program from an off-site location back onto campus by converting an unused wood shop into program space. The project budget presented to the board was $130,318 and includes new doors, walls, bathroom reconfiguration, windows and exits. Administrators said moving RISE onto campus will eliminate rent paid to an outside site, reduce transportation costs, and improve students' access to nursing, guidance and general-education staff. Board members emphasized that the capital outlay should yield recurring transportation and lease savings.

Personnel and contract items were also approved. The board confirmed three professional hires for the next school year and authorized issuance of administrative contracts previously approved by the board. Finally, the board made executive-session findings to discuss personnel leave requests and superintendent contract matters.

The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at MVU and listed follow-ups including a June update on playground fundraising and potential budget carry-forward discussions for any district contribution.

Actions recorded at the meeting include: approval of the copier lease (motions authorizing the lease and the superintendent to sign), approval of the hot-lunch surplus spending list, approval to order Highgate Phase One equipment with installation contingent on final fundraising, approval of the RISE relocation project, and approval of new hires and administrative contracts. All recorded board motions referenced in this article carried by unanimous procedural votes at the meeting.