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School board authorizes up to $1.6 million for lighting, auditorium repairs and maintenance equipment; approves consent agenda
Summary
The Straus School Board unanimously approved a consent agenda and authorized up to $1.6 million from unassigned general fund balance for lighting upgrades at the junior–senior high, stage and auditorium renovations to restore use for 2026–27, and new custodial equipment. The board accepted several grants and agreements and scheduled its next meeting for May 21.
The Straus School Board on Monday authorized expenditures from the district's unassigned general fund balance—not anticipated in the 2025–26 budget—covering lighting upgrades at the junior–senior high school, stage and auditorium renovations needed to restore use for the 2026–27 school year, and several custodial and maintenance vehicles and machines, with a combined cap not to exceed $1.6 million.
The business manager told the board that a $69,000 line item identified as an interest payment to the Bank of New York was voided from the current bills and will be paid from the district's intercept subsidy in June. The board then moved into its voting portion and approved the consent agenda items by roll call; Director Myers moved the A1–F13 motion with Director Godfrey seconding and the vote passed with six yes votes.
The capital authorization specifically listed lighting improvements, stage and auditorium repairs (the auditorium failed inspection in November 2025), three automatic floor scrubbers, one work truck, one snow plow and one swing machine (floor buffer), plus related supplies and services. The board directed that purchases comply with local procurement policy. The business manager said the work is intended to reinstate auditorium use for 2026–27 and to improve maintenance workflow.
Board members also approved a set of routine and program items: operations actions to hire transportation employees; acceptance of an NFL Play 60 physical activity grant from the American Heart Association for $3,500 to fund primary-center physical-activity equipment and CPR mannequins; a five-year NEFCO agreement to purchase a new basketball scoreboard, shot clock and football scoreboard using grant and family foundation funds; a Peppi’s Hoagie sale fundraiser to support the junior high music program’s planned trip to a production of The Lion King in September 2026; and adoption of intermediate unit (IU) LEA policies and the AIU IDEA Part B pass-through use-of-funds agreement, plus approval of the district’s special education matrix as presented.
Beyond the initial consent vote (A1–F13), the board approved grouped items G1–G3, new-business packages IB1–IF3, and item IG1 by separate motions; each motion passed on unanimous six‑yes roll-call votes. The meeting included multiple acknowledgments of staff and named several employees recognized by the board, including Diane Ripple (Teacher of the Year), Lauren Fergurson (Rookie Teacher of the Year) and Dr. Lisa Mumbauer (Principal of the Year).
No members of the public signed up for comment, and no committee reports were offered. The board set its next combined agenda review and voting meeting for Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the junior high cafeteria. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded, and the meeting ended.
