Board approves capital budget revision, property sale posting amid urgent roof and deferred-maintenance costs

The Ridgefield School District board unanimously approved a package of budget and property actions after staff described growing capital and maintenance needs and the potential funding implications of state budget changes.

In a motion the board adopted Resolution 2024-2025-011 to revise the 2024-25 capital projects fund budget to reflect expected costs tied to the new Elementary #3 construction, deferred-maintenance projects and a potential property purchase. The vote followed a public hearing and staff presentation about project timelines and funding sources.

The board also approved Resolution 2024-2025-012 to declare a district parcel surplus and authorize public posting for sale; staff said proceeds from a sale would help the district purchase a larger adjacent site better suited to future school development. Staff noted the county reimbursed approximately $1 million in cost-share for a sewer extension tied to the parcel and said future impact fees from development would likely offset a portion of the net cost of increasing acreage.

Executive Director of Business Services Paula Mccoy summarized state budget proposals that affect district cash flow and categorical funding. She described a proposed apportionment timing change that shifts 0.5% of state BEA apportionment from several months into August, which improves the state's fiscal-year position but creates local cash-flow pressure across two fiscal years. Mccoy also raised concerns about special-education funding language that increases a BEA "carve-out" to 25% and described it as reallocating existing revenue rather than adding net resources to serve high-cost special-education needs.

Deferred maintenance emerged as a central concern. Dr. Rodriguez and finance staff presented condition assessments that rated Union Ridges roof as failing and estimated a full 30-year replacement at roughly $2.2 million to $2.45 million (figures presented as board estimates). District staff said they have a maintenance reserve of $1.5 million that could be used, but that reserve plus available general-fund savings would likely be insufficient to cover the highest-cost replacement without additional funding choices. The board discussed options including a 10-, 20- or 30-year replacement approach at different price points and the trade-offs of short-term repairs versus full replacement.

Paula Mccoy said the district plans to transfer modest general-fund savings from unfilled positions into the capital fund if needed and that capital-levy revenue slated for early 2026 would not be available quickly enough to fund emergency roofing work. She noted the district's bid schedule for Elementary #3 is underway, with bid opening expected in mid-May and construction geared to run from June 2025 to August 2026.

Board members approved the capital budget revision, the property sale posting and an updated facilities fee schedule (Procedure 4260P companion update) in separate voice votes during the meeting.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: motion to approve the consent agenda passed by voice vote (mover/second not recorded on transcript). - Resolution 2024-2025-011 (capital projects fund budget revision): approved by board vote. - Resolution 2024-2025-012 (declare parcel surplus and post for sale; address in packet: 18216 NE 29th Ave; Clark County parcel cited during hearing): approved by board vote. - Facilities fee schedule update (Procedure 4260P companion): approved by board vote.

Next steps and context District staff said they will continue to refine roof-repair cost estimates, await Elementary #3 bid returns in May, and develop a draft plan for replenishing the maintenance reserve in future budgets (staff suggested budgeting a recurring $250,000 contribution in early planning). The board discussed prioritizing safety-critical repairs and balancing immediate needs against longer-term capital projects.