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Board approves East Middle lead-remediation contract, foundation agreement and routine financial reports
Summary
At its Jan. 26 meeting the Great Falls Public Schools board approved a $790,500 contract to remediate lead in East Middle School water systems, renewed a service agreement with the district foundation through 2031 (district to reimburse 10% of the executive director salary, approx. $12,500), and accepted November and December financial reports by voice votes.
At its Jan. 26 meeting, the Great Falls Public Schools board of trustees approved several routine and facilities items, including a $790,500 contract to remediate lead in East Middle School’s water systems.
Mr. Deakins told trustees the district went back out for bids and received three offers; he recommended awarding the work to Action Plumbing and Construction as the lowest qualified bidder with a base bid of $790,500. Trustee Chorowski moved to approve the award; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote after trustees confirmed that interim filters and fixture replacements had been put in where testing showed elevated lead levels.
The board also accepted the district’s monthly financial reports and registers of payments for November and December 2025. Mr. Deakins said the reports are up to date and noted a timing-related payroll sequencing in December due to the holiday period; trustees approved both reports by voice vote.
Trustees voted to renew the Great Falls Public School Foundation service agreement for 2026–2031. Mr. Deakins said a key change in the revised agreement moves the district to reimbursing 10% of the agreed-upon salary and benefits for the foundation’s executive director; he estimated the district’s annual cost at roughly $12,500. Trustee Thompson moved approval and the board approved the agreement; clerical corrections were made to remove an incorrect characterization of the district as a nonprofit.
On policy matters, trustees approved second readings of revised board policies recommended by the Montana School Boards Association (policies 2600, 3655, 5122 and 5122P) to align language with statute and committee recommendations. Superintendent Hoyer said there had been no additional public or district input prior to the meeting.
All motions reported in this article were approved by voice vote; the transcript records aye/voice votes but does not provide a roll-call tally in the meeting record.
