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Winchester council approves updated MOU giving schools flexibility on unspent funds
Summary
Council unanimously approved R-2024-13, renewing an MOU with Winchester Public Schools that allows the district flexibility to carry forward and use unspent local operating funds for capital and other categories; staff described recent uses including buses, HVAC and security upgrades.
The Winchester City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 13 to approve a memorandum of understanding (R-2024-13) with Winchester Public Schools that clarifies and renews the process for handling unspent local operating funds at fiscal year-end.
Superintendent Jason Van Huckulen and a school staff member (Mary) explained the MOU is normally reviewed every two years and said the state has recently provided more flexibility for how carry-forward funds may be used. Jason said the arrangement has been in place for many years and that auditors verify the carry-forward amounts before funds are appropriated by the city council.
School staff outlined several uses of carry-forward funds over the last five years, including school security (vestibules and cameras) costing $494,000; playgrounds ($153,000); 14 new buses costing $1.6 million; HVAC work ($985,000); tennis-court replacement at John Hanley High School ($556,000); a new track ($950,000); roof repair and replacement ($672,000); parking-lot repairs ($127,000); and furniture purchases ($155,000). Staff emphasized the flexibility allows the district to respond quickly to emergencies such as failing boilers or chillers.
Councilor Milstead raised a likely typographical error in a code citation (noting section 22.1-100 appears misspelled in the MOU); city staff said they would confirm and correct the citation. Councilor Veach and others expressed support, noting that the approach improves planning and responsiveness for school infrastructure needs.
Councilor Tagnassy moved to approve the MOU; the motion was seconded and passed on a roll-call vote with all present councilors voting yes.
