Central Unified board approves $4 million deferred maintenance increase, architecture contracts and multiple grants

The Central Unified Board of Trustees approved several administrative and capital items at its Jan. 13 regular meeting, including a major increase to deferred maintenance funding, architect services for painting projects, acceptance of multiple gifts and grant awards, and textbook approvals for dual enrollment courses.

Deferred maintenance and HVAC work: Director Bath presented an updated deferred maintenance plan that raises the three-year plan to $4,000,000 and asks to increase the current year's deferred maintenance by $2,000,000 to begin replacing aging HVAC units. The board approved the recommendation by recorded vote (motion and vote recorded, motion carried 6-0).

Architectural services and facilities contracts: The board approved a $97,290 proposal from Darden Architects for architectural services covering 2026 school painting projects at four campuses, and administration presented a separate Darden proposal to return to the board on Jan. 25 for McKinley Elementary School modernization and DSA review (information item).

Grants and gifts: Administration listed six gifts to district schools (notable: a $20,000 donation from the Joseph Keith Burgess Foundation to an Associated Student Body Fund) and recommended acceptance; the board approved accepting the gifts (motion recorded, vote carried). The board also approved acceptance of a San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Public Benefit Grant to purchase five electric utility vehicles for elementary campuses; the total vehicle cost is $94,240.17, with the grant covering $90,534.60 and the remainder funded from the general fund.

Curriculum and contracts: The board approved textbooks for spring dual-enrollment courses to meet start-of-term needs; trustees recorded an abstention from Trustee Kirk on this item. Administration announced a three-year renewal of the Aeries student information system (11/01/2025–10/31/2028) and recommended the renewal be placed on the Jan. 27 agenda for action, citing a 5% per-student licensing increase tied to cloud hosting costs.

Votes at a glance: consent agenda approval (motions carried); acceptance of gifts (approved 5-0 with Trustee Kirk absent), sale/disposal of surplus property (approved 5-0), Darden Architects painting proposal ($97,290) (approved 6-0), deferred maintenance plan ($4,000,000 with $2,000,000 increase this year) (approved 6-0), San Joaquin Valley Air District grant (approved unanimously), textbooks for dual enrollment (approved, with one abstention by Trustee Kirk).

Next steps: Several items presented as information (McKinley modernization; Aeries renewal; Shifting Perspectives contract) are scheduled to return on upcoming agendas for formal action. The board adjourned at 9:01 p.m.