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Board member says rejected state grants increased need to borrow for buses; member lists alternate uses for funds
Summary
A board member told colleagues the district is being asked to finance about $718,809 for bus lease purchases and said that money could have been used for staffing, ADA chairlifts, tech support and repairs; another board member clarified $718,000 would not cover all suggested items.
During board comment a member raised a budget concern, saying the board was asked to pass a resolution to finance "718 and $809,000 for a loan for the lease purchase of 5 large and 1 small school bus" and asserted that the loan might have been avoidable if the board had not turned away $7,800,000 in state grant money the prior year. "I was assured by our admin business administrator this afternoon that that loan would not be necessary if BOE members had not turned away from $7,800,000 of grant money from the state last year," the speaker said, and listed alternative uses for $718,000 including 7 FTEs to reduce class sizes, ADA chairlifts, full-time tech support, roof repairs, safety and security upgrades, sports field improvements and hydroponic labs.
Another board member clarified that $718,000 would not cover all items listed but could contribute toward some. The transcript records the concern and the list of possible uses; the meeting did not resolve the underlying grant history or the precise loan terms, and no formal reversal or additional action was recorded during the session.
