Facilities committee recommends designation of HVAC grant funds for library media center renovations

The Regional School District 05 Facilities Committee voted Feb. 4, 2025, to recommend that the Amity finance committee and Amity Board of Education designate HVAC grant funds for renovations of the district’s library media centers.

Terry Lumis, who submitted a letter on the matter, said the district received an award letter dated April 5, 2023 from the Department of Administrative Services for $866,000 and that the district received a payment of $76,674 in February 2024. Lumis also referenced two subsequent invoices and a small holdback by the state; staff proposed transferring the remaining grant funds to library media center projects, starting with the high school.

A motion to recommend the designation was made and seconded; the committee approved the recommendation in roll-call votes recorded by the meeting clerk (Mr Reid — yes; Mr Haror — yes; Mr McDon — yes).

Committee members asked whether the funds would flow into a new education account or be designated directly to the library media centers. Staff said the money will follow the same capital-account treatment as other A‑fund unspent balances and will be available for bond funding and other special capital uses. Staff noted that the district’s attorney is reviewing the grant application template and that the exact responsibilities and any conditions attached to the funds will be clarified before final approval.

Next steps: the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Amity finance committee and the Amity Board of Education for formal action.