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Board hears finance report: pre‑K spending lifts monthly bills, capital needs may require referendum
Summary
The finance committee reported a $354,000 month‑to‑month increase tied to pre‑K funds, a $726,000 capital reserve, and lost eligibility for a roughly $600,000 boiler‑replacement grant; the board discussed phasing capital work and preparing RFQs for MEP engineering and an architect.
The Hardyston Township Board of Education’s finance and facilities committee told the board on June 10 that an influx of pre‑K state funds increased the monthly bills list by roughly $354,000 and required transfers to spend the money in the current month. The committee said no additional tax levy was used and attributed about $64,000 in savings to a 21% reduction in bussing costs this year.
Committee remarks flagged capital planning as a near‑term priority: the district holds approximately $726,000 in capital reserve funds, and the committee estimated it could rebuild operating reserves by about $400,000 this year. The committee also reported the district was not eligible for a boiler‑replacement grant (described in the meeting as about $600,000) because of a 50% electric/50% gas requirement, meaning the district will have to fund boiler work from reserves or pursue phased repairs. The board previewed RFQs and an RFP for mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) engineering and an architect so staff can scope phased replacement of boilers, roof and chillers and decide whether to pursue a capital‑funding referendum.
The committee also said the district expects to renew a lease with the township for the Weeksworth Park recreation area and to resolve a legacy payable where the original recipient went out of business; the board may pay a collection agency that succeeded the original vendor. The finance committee said it will consider how to phase capital projects and whether to raise funds annually or pursue a referendum depending on consultant recommendations.
On consent motions the board approved a package of finance items (F1–F14) after roll‑call; during roll call one board member registered a 'no' specifically to the item authorizing an RFQ to go out for attorneys (F5 item 20) while supporting the other items. The motion was recorded and carried. The board also directed staff to prepare RFQs/RFPs for architecture and MEP services to inform phasing and referendum decisions.
