A focal point of the meeting was the Belle Elementary School project. The board is in the preliminary stages, with site evaluations and layouts currently being developed by an architect. The board anticipates receiving initial schematic designs soon, with plans for construction to commence in the fall, pending board approval. A request for qualifications (RFQ) will be issued to appoint a construction manager, and there is an open invitation for public committee members to participate, providing transparency and community involvement in the selection process.

In tandem with the architectural work, the civil engineer, Kimley Horn, is conducting necessary traffic studies and planning for off-site improvements, including road modifications and school flashing sign installations. Coordination with the city of Belleview is essential for these initiatives. Additionally, geotechnical services for soil borings will be contracted separately. The presentation of the total budget highlights the projected costs for these services.

Another discussion centered on the Belleview Middle School project, which is currently in the design phase, funded entirely by sales tax revenues. An RFQ for the design team is underway, and despite a “cone of silence” surrounding the process, which limits information disclosure, the board has received ten proposals. A selection committee is reviewing nine of these submissions.

Attention then shifted to the progress of other construction projects overseen by Angela Usher, Senior Executive Director for Operations. She updated the board on ongoing sales tax-funded projects, including the doors and walls initiative at East Marion and Oyola Middle Schools and the HVAC design project for Belleview Middle. Each project aims to enhance safety and instructional capabilities, with specific efforts to redesign lobby areas for improved parent access control and classroom security. The East Marion Elementary project, in particular, involves removing metal panels to create enclosed classrooms, with ongoing lead-based paint abatement efforts. Similarly, Oyola Middle School is set to undergo modifications to convert open spaces into classrooms, with work scheduled for the summer.

The meeting also addressed internal audits, with a presentation from RSM auditors, led by Michelle Copela. The firm has been engaged as the district’s internal auditors since 2023, focusing on a comprehensive risk assessment to identify areas requiring further scrutiny. This process involves discussions with district leadership and reviewing previous audit results. A primary focus of the internal audit plan is the half-cent sales tax review, which evaluates the processes related to the recording, usage, and reporting of sales tax funds. Jack Hughes, an RSM supervisor, explained that the first phase includes documenting current processes, interviewing personnel, and comparing these practices against industry best standards. The final deliverables will include a written report summarizing findings and recommendations.

During the financial update, Chief Financial Officer Robert Rios Welsh provided a report on sales tax revenue, detailing the original budget of approximately $39.6 million and the $15.2 million collected so far, representing 38.4% of the total. Rios noted a two-month delay in payments, with December and January’s payments pending. Once reconciled, collections would rise to $22.8 million, bringing the percentage to about 55%, aligning with projections. Questions from the board regarding expenditures for December and January were addressed, with Rios affirming that these figures remain estimates as payments had not yet been made.