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Oak Ridge board approves budget transfer, audits, grants, contracts and several policy updates
Summary
The Oak Ridge Board of Education unanimously approved FY26 budget transfer #2, the FY26 audit contract ($56,000), multiple state and federal grants including tutoring and literacy funds, several contracts and capital purchases, and updates to school policies on tobacco, food service and student wellness.
At its meeting the Oak Ridge Board of Education approved a series of fiscal and policy items that the district said were routine mid‑year adjustments and strategic investments.
The board voted unanimously to approve FY26 budget transfer number two, which the superintendent said realigns general fund salary, benefit and expenditure lines, establishes capital outlay for a Glenwood chiller replacement, and sets initial budgets for new federal, state and local grants.
The board also approved an audit engagement with Brown, Jake, and McDaniel, PC for FY26 totaling $56,000 plus hourly rates for non‑audit services, and accepted several grants including the Tennessee AllCore tutoring grant and the Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant. A $7,500 preschool microgrant to buy curriculum kits was approved and Head Start funds were noted to cover remaining costs.
The district approved several contracts and purchases: a $53,000 Oak Log yearbook contract; a $78,448.31 replacement maintenance truck; a Nutanix software purchase from CDW‑G for $184,452 (contingent on E‑rate grant approval and final budget approvals); and a $178,150 elevator modernization and hydraulic jack replacement at Jefferson Middle School. Dr. Borchettz said the Nutanix request "leverages the federal program for internal connections" and requires additional steps with the Universal Service Administrative Company before the April 1 filing deadline.
Board members also approved policy revisions designed to clarify tobacco‑free campus language, align food service rules with federal "Smart Snacks" guidance by specifying that the rules apply to foods sold in schools, and update student wellness policy language. A regional "future workforce" resolution to pursue partnerships tied to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Y‑12 and TVA was approved as well.
All listed motions passed unanimously; the board scheduled continued budget work and a budget overview at an upcoming meeting.
