Board approves reserves transfer, new fiscal-advisor contract and 2026–2030 teachers' agreement

The MARION CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education approved several financial and labor items tonight, including limited use of reserves for retiree sick-day buyouts, transfers to reserve accounts to maintain required unassigned fund-balance limits, authorization to pursue a new fiscal-advisor contract, and ratification of a successor collective bargaining agreement.

School business administrators told trustees they needed approval to use up to $135,000 from a HEABL account to help pay buyouts for retiring employees’ unused sick days. Administrators also proposed transfers from the unassigned fund balance to replenish reserves: up to $105,000 for the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), $400,000 for a capital reserve, and additional capital reserve funds described for future bus purchases. The presentation framed these moves as steps to keep the district within New York State’s 4% allowance for unassigned fund balance. The board moved and approved the resolution.

Trustees also discussed replacing or supplementing the district’s fiscal advisor. The transcript records that a consultant named Rick (Rick Tims) submitted a contract and that the proposed advisor would charge about $40 less per hour than the current advisor and offer advocacy services the district needs. The board approved moving forward with the contract.

Finally, the board voted to approve the 2026–2030 successor collective bargaining agreement with the Marian Teachers Association after a motion and second; the transcript records the motion as passing by voice vote.

Where the transcript records 'opposed' or 'abstain' on separate votes, the meeting minutes will reflect individual roll-call positions. The board also approved consent-agenda and personnel items by motion during the same session.