10:00In an effort to secure funding for these high-priority capital projects, the board discussed the strategic steps required to access the Regular Operating District (ROD) grants. The district had submitted ten applications for the grants, out of which four were approved. The roofing replacements, critical due to their age and condition, will cover 11,500 square feet at Brighton Elementary, 5,100 square feet at Jefferson Elementary, 95% of the roof at Lton C. Johnson Summit Middle School, and a substantial 83,000 square feet at Summit High School. These projects aim to ensure the safety and functionality of the school facilities, with the state reimbursing a portion of the costs.

21:35One focus of the meeting was the requirement for the district to demonstrate the availability of funding sources before accessing state funds. It was highlighted that the district must initially expend the funds upfront and then receive reimbursement, adding a layer of complexity to the financial planning. This led to a discussion on the district’s financial strategy, including the potential use of bond anticipation notes, which could save $2 to $3 million compared to traditional bonding methods. This suggestion was well-received, though it was acknowledged that further deliberation at the city council level would be necessary.

13:12Another aspect of the meeting was the ongoing assessments by two companies using geothermal analysis to evaluate the condition of all roofing across the district. This analysis is intended to identify underlying issues requiring attention and ensure consistency in evaluations, avoiding conflicting recommendations. The board clarified that these assessments had already informed the selection of the four schools for the current project and emphasized the need to leverage these evaluations in conjunction with the state’s cross-acceptance plan to prevent redundancy in efforts.

The board also addressed concerns about potential discrepancies in the condition of the roofs as identified by the two companies. It was emphasized that the district had already contracted these companies, and their evaluations were not contingent upon receiving a bid. Moving forward, architects were instructed to continue planning and prepare the necessary drawings for the projects. The board discussed utilizing both the bidding process and state and local co-ops to ensure competitive pricing for the roofing projects.

19:12As the conversation shifted to project scheduling, a participant asked about the timeline for the roofing work, expressing concerns about minimizing disruption to school operations, particularly at the middle school. It was explained that if the board of school estimate approved the resolution, it would go to the city council for approval over two meetings in June and July. The architect would then provide plans by late summer or early fall, with the goal to bid out the projects in the fall to commence work with minimal school disruption.

The board was reminded of the rarity of ROD grants, with the last opportunity for such funding noted to be in 2010-2011. The current proposal to secure $5 million in ROD grant funding would benefit from a full 40% reimbursement under the grant law, contrasting with a previously discussed $37 million bond intended for various renovations and improvements. The bond, separate from the current roof project, would yield a lesser reimbursement percentage due to state retention of funds.

25:45During the public comment period, no comments were made, allowing the board to swiftly proceed to a vote on the ROD grant resolution. The resolution, detailing necessary funding and project specifics, including the approval of $12,066,500 for the roof replacements, was read aloud. It highlighted the criteria for grant eligibility and the importance of local matching funds. Following the reading, a motion was presented to approve the resolution, and a roll call vote resulted in unanimous approval from the board members present.