Purchases of a new school bus and a low mileage 10-passenger van were approved by the Boone Central School Board at their meeting early Monday morning, Aug. 12.

The new bus, ordered for delivery in the 2025-26 school year, will be a 2024 model Thomas bus with a list price of $157,000. The cost with trade-in allowance has not yet been determined.

In considering the 10-passenger van, the board opted to purchase a late model unit off lease at a list price of $54,600. The final cost with trade-in has not yet been determined.

Also approved Monday was a contribution by the district of $2,500 toward the cost of the new scoreboard to be installed at the Albion Sports Complex softball field. The field is to be renamed the Tracy Hedlund Memorial Field.

Several action items tabled from Monday’s meeting will also be considered at a special session on Aug. 26. These items include replacement of the current stage curtains in the Performance Gym, possible replacement of a rooftop HVAC compressor unit, and a board policy to comply with state statute on specifications for projection maps used in school classrooms.

The Aug. 12 meeting also included a variety of administrative, staff and board member reports and recognitions. Discussion topics included the start of the school year, the special legislative session on property tax reduction, and others.

Budget Work Session

The board scheduled its annual budget workshop for Monday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m.

During the Aug. 26 meeting, the board will also consider a resolution to increase the district’s base growth percentage by a maximum of six percent.

Approval of this resolution would allow the district to increase its general fund property tax request by up to six percent from the 202324 level.

Boone Central’s annual budget hearing will be held Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. This hearing will be followed by the tax request hearing and the regular meeting.