Council approves budget amendment to fund school HVAC units, site survey and staff development

The Clinton City Council voted to approve budget amendment number four, committing funds for school capital and staff needs.

The amendment, moved and approved by roll call, includes $72,000 to purchase HVAC units for North Clinton (14 units), $15,000 for a site survey to support a possible North Clinton expansion and $20,000 to increase staff development funding.

Why it matters: The funds will support immediate building needs ahead of the next school year and pay for planning work tied to a potential expansion of North Clinton Elementary. Council members framed the amendment as an end-of-year adjustment to complete capital work and shore up line items.

School official Kelly told council that district enrollment “did not show a decrease” this year despite a temporary midyear drop of about 20–25 students, and that roughly 14–15 transfer students had been returned to their home districts for attendance or behavior reasons. “Enrollment is looking good,” Kelly said, while cautioning the district may revoke additional transfers next year to preserve seats for city students.

Council discussion and vote: Councilors raised follow-up questions about enrollment trends and the size of the paving budget elsewhere in the agenda. The amendment was approved by roll call (affirmative votes recorded for Councilman Quainer, Councilman Foster, Councilman Harold, Councilman Gan, Councilwoman Mayus and Mayor B.).

Next steps: The funds will be processed as part of the current fiscal-year closing; staff said a final budget amendment will follow in June to finalize year-end adjustments.