Dec 4, 2013 3 min read

JEFFERSON – Jefferson-Morgan School Board voted Tuesday to authorize the superintendent to sign an engagement letter for bond counsel services which will be necessary should the board decide to finance renovations to the middle-senior high school.

The board has been discussing a renovation project and is awaiting the completion of a feasibility study on school improvements by its architect, Valentour, English, Bodnar and Howell.

Though the board has not yet agreed to proceed with a project, it has begun investigating the matter and has taken steps that may be necessary should it later decide to move forward with a plan.

In October, the board hired a financial consultant to assist in looking at options to finance school renovations. The board also indicated then that it will approve an early budget to allow it to increase taxes next year beyond the inflationary index set by the Taxpayers Relief Act should it believe additional revenue will be needed for a project.

Districts that propose increasing property taxes in excess of the index must approve a budget in January and either receive an exception from the state or have the tax increase approved in a voter referendum. Board members earlier said they believed the board may have to increase taxes in excess of the index to generate enough revenue for a renovation plan.

At Tuesday’s meeting, business manager Jennifer Foringer reported she is working on the early budget, which will have to be approved by the board next month.

The signing of an engagement letter for bond counsel services will allow the board to hire bond counsel should it determine one is necessary, but that will depend on the findings of the feasibility study and what, if any, plan the board may decide to move forward with, said Superintendent Donna Furnier.

The middle-senior high school was constructed in 1955 and was last renovated about 28 years ago.

The board held its reorganization meeting Tuesday and voted to elect Lisa Mattish president. She was nominated by Mark Pochron, who has been president the last three years. Bob Mitchell was elected vice president.

Mattish, after assuming the board presidency, resigned as board treasurer. Cindy Jento was elected in her place. Jento declined to accept the stipend paid to the treasurer and asked that the money go toward the school yearbook.

The board agreed to continue meeting the third Monday of each month, except in January, when the meeting will be on Jan. 21; February, when the meeting will be Feb. 18; April, when the meeting will be on April 28; June, when the meeting will be on June 23; and December, when the reorganization meeting will be Dec. 2.

The board holds its planning meeting at 6:30 p.m. before its legislative meeting at 7 p.m.

Furnier announced the district has received a $10,000 Highmark Healthy High Five grant that will be used to replace water fountains in the middle-senior high, prepare an outdoor picnic area and educate staff on issue related to asthma. She noted 10 percent of the students in the district have asthma.

The board approved a request by Scott Moore to take the drama club to New York City in March. The club will pay all expenses. Details will be provided to the board later once plans are finalized.