Board reviews East Side Elementary budget and approves bills, financial report

The Brandon Valley School District 49-2 Board of Education approved bills and the June financial report and reviewed the East Side Elementary construction budget during its regular meeting.

Business manager Mr Lumber presented bills and claims included in the board packet and listed notable expenditures: work on the Brandon Elementary north playground, architectural fees of $308,000 for the new East Side Elementary, a school resource officer payment of $40,700, and phase-two Middle School flooring of about $122,000. The transcript records total bills of $3,816,767 for the period; the board voted to approve the bills as presented.

In the financial report, Mr Lumber said the district began June with approximately $15.8 million, reported receipts of $4.4 million and disbursements of $5.6 million, leaving roughly $4.532 million in cash at month end. The general fund balance was described as just over $10 million; the capital fund, special education fund and bond redemption balances were also summarized. The transcript shows an investment balance of about $10.658 million at an estimated yield of 5 percent. The Food Service fund showed a loss of about $650,000 for FY 2023–24. The board approved the financial report by voice vote.

The board also discussed the East Side Elementary construction project. Staff referenced issuing debt in the mid-$30 million range (transcript mentions both "34 million" and "36 million in change" in different lines). Bids for the project were scheduled to open on Aug. 8, with an award expected at the board's first August meeting. Staff projected a construction cost of about $280 per square foot and said they included cost-management options in the project specifications if bids exceed estimates. The project is scheduled for completion in late June 2026.

The board approved the financial items and will consider construction bids and related actions at upcoming meetings.