Tuscola BOE okays issuing $5MM in working cash bonds

By Kendra Hennis 
The Tuscola board of education gathered January 6 at 6 p.m. for a special meeting. Board president Cathy Mannen was absent so the meeting was led by vice president Rick Quinn. 

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the school’s working cash fund bonds and potentially issue new bonds. The board was also met by energy performance contractor Mark Graves who came to inform the board about the role of an energy performance contractor on potential future projects. 

After some discussion of the current bonds being almost paid off, the board approved the issuing of $5,151,000 in working cash fund bonds. Graves followed explaining the role of energy performance contractor and saying that they could join the project and help guide it along the way. This would include making a five-year business plan with the board to help them plan for the projects and prioritize the school’s needs. They would also help find funding sources for projects and work to maximize dollars to optimize facilities. He said that the addition of an energy performance contractor would give them the ability to streamline the process as well as complete a large number of projects over the summer.

Superintendent Gary Alexander explained to the board that if they decided to hire an energy performance contractor they would still need to go through the hiring process, Graves just came as a courtesy to help explain the process. He also reminded the board that it is not necessary that they add an energy performance contractor, just an option. The board then discussed that if they were going to hire someone, they should develop a committee for hiring and begin the interviewing process soon. The board followed by approving the proposal for an energy performance contractor. 

Following, the board moved to a closed session. Having no new business after the session, the board adjourned until the January 25 board of education meeting at 7 p.m.