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Utica board approves up to $25M in refunding bonds, awards two construction contracts and approves personnel moves
Summary
At its Nov. 17 meeting the Utica Community Schools Board unanimously approved a resolution authorizing up to $25 million in refunding bonds, accepted the schedule of bills totaling $36,476,247.13 for the General Fund and awarded contracts for a Stevenson theatre ($370,000) and West Utica HVAC ($173,414). The board also approved personnel changes and appointed Simone Gardner.
The Utica Community Schools Board of Education on Nov. 17 approved a set of fiscal and personnel actions, including a resolution that authorizes issuance of refunding bonds not to exceed $25,000,000 to refinance portions of prior school-building bonds, several contract awards on the consent agenda and personnel appointments.
Assistant Superintendent for Business Wiliam Holbrook presented the 2026 Refunding Bonds resolution, which delegates closing authority to the superintendent and the assistant superintendent for business and names Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, P.L.C. as bond counsel, PFM Financial Advisors, LLC as municipal advisor and Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated as senior managing underwriter. The motion to approve the resolution was made by Dr. Steven Meyer, supported by Fitzpatrick, and passed by a roll-call vote of 5–0 (ayes: Meyer, Fitzpatrick, Austerman, Smolenski, Becker; nays: none).
Also on the consent agenda, the board approved contract awards reviewed by the Capital Projects subcommittee. The board authorized awarding the Stevenson High School theatre project to Tobins Lake Sales LLC for $370,000 and awarded the West Utica Elementary HVAC replacement to A.J. Miller Mechanical, Inc. for $173,414. The board also approved Capital Projects Change Order #54. The consent agenda motion was made by Fitzpatrick, supported by Austerman, and carried 5–0.
The board received and accepted the schedule of bills for the General Fund, which summarized multiple payment runs and listed a General Fund total of $36,476,247.13. Bond and capital project totals were presented: Bond 2018 Total $1,693,368.11 and Bond 2023 Total $7,157,654.01.
On personnel matters, the board approved changes in certified personnel by motion (Austerman; support Meyer). Jared McEvoy recommended Simone Gardner for appointment to the position of Supervisor of Student Support and Special Services; the board approved the appointment effective Dec. 17, 2025, by motion (Fitzpatrick; support Meyer). Motion carried 5–0.
Procedural items: the board voted to enter a closed session at 8:29 p.m. to discuss a legal matter subject to attorney–client privilege and returned to open session at 9:13 p.m.; no action was taken in executive session. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
What the board approved (at a glance): - Resolution authorizing 2026 refunding bonds, not to exceed $25,000,000 (motion: Meyer; support: Fitzpatrick). Vote: 5–0. - Approved changes in certified personnel (motion: Austerman; support: Meyer). Vote: 5–0. - Appointed Simone Gardner as Supervisor of Student Support and Special Services, effective Dec. 17, 2025 (motion: Fitzpatrick; support: Meyer). Vote: 5–0. - Awarded Stevenson High School Theatre contract to Tobins Lake Sales LLC — $370,000; West Utica Elementary HVAC Replacement to A.J. Miller Mechanical, Inc. — $173,414; approved Capital Projects Change Order #54 (motion: Fitzpatrick; support: Austerman). Vote: 5–0. - Accepted schedule of bills: General Fund total $36,476,247.13; Bond 2018 total $1,693,368.11; Bond 2023 total $7,157,654.01.
The board’s action package delegates implementation steps (bond-closing authority, contract administration and personnel onboarding) to the superintendent’s office and relevant business services staff.
