Hoosac Valley Regional cites $962,836 in certified reserves as roof work looms

The Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee was told Sept. 15 that the Department of Revenue certified the district’s Excess & Deficiency (E&D) balance at $962,836, representing 4.16% of the current fiscal-year budget. The Business Manager provided the figure and Superintendent Aaron Dean said the level could affect borrowing and the district’s bond rating.

The committee heard a maintenance update from Fred Lora outlining near-term and longer-term facilities needs. Lora said HVAC systems are in good condition for winter and that engineers are preparing schematics to safely reinstall middle-school basketball hoops, but he also flagged large roof projects as the district’s next major capital priority. Superintendent Dean cited early estimates of “upwards of 8 million for the middle / high school and another 4 million for the elementary school.” Committee members discussed the need to alert the towns and build support ahead of any MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) application.

Lora noted cost-saving measures already in place — including district staff maintaining athletic fields — and announced that a head building custodian had been promoted to a new facilities manager role. Committee members asked for continued outreach to the towns and emphasized the importance of timing and clear communication if the district pursues a roof project that would require borrowing.

The committee was told Superintendent Aaron Dean will present additional data at the next meeting that may inform capital-planning decisions and any future borrowing timetable.