Committee authorizes up to $100,000 in surplus spending for curriculum, athletics and facilities needs

At its June 11 meeting the Blackstone‑Millville School Committee approved a motion allowing administration to expend up to $100,000 of year‑end surplus on a set of prioritized items. Finance staff told the committee that unexpected income (higher interest earnings after rate changes and stale‑check reconciliations) left the district with more carryover than anticipated and that some preapproved purchases for FY27 require payment before the fiscal year ended.

The administration proposed a short list of purchases to be made if funds were available: an athletic sound system (estimated at about $3,000), music supplies (presenter indicated roughly $17,000), a salt‑dog spreader (roughly $5,000), playground fencing on two sides (quotes discussed), and curriculum purchases including history textbooks and potential prepayment of I‑Ready (the district estimated I‑Ready at about $53,000 annually and said it was pursuing pricing/options). The committee discussed fiscal stewardship and the possibility of using surplus either to offset user fees or to prepay curricular subscriptions; the chair and finance director emphasized that the administration sought to spend down carryover responsibly rather than leave excessive balances.

A motion was made and seconded to authorize administration through the business office to expend up to $100,000 on the listed items; the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript. Administration said it would report exact purchase amounts and any remaining balances to the committee after transactions were completed.