Washington County approves $230,000 transfer for school band instruments and uniforms

The Washington County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Feb. 7 to transfer $230,000 from the capital improvement fund to the school operating fund to address urgent band instrument and uniform needs.

Dr. Perrigan, speaking for the school division, told the board that schools face “a severe need in replacing band instruments and band uniforms” and estimated total replacement costs for four high school bands and four middle school bands at about $637,000. Dr. Perrigan said the schools originally requested $250,000 to address immediate needs and described plans to establish a replacement cycle to avoid future shortfalls.

Board members asked about procurement and whether the division would stagger purchases across years. Dr. Perrigan said the division will follow applicable procurement rules and may either lease equipment or seek bids; he noted leasing could increase annual costs (he cited an illustrative lease payment of about $127,000 per year over five years). “There will be some type of bid depending on the amount that we procure,” he said.

An unidentified board member moved to approve the transfer; Mr. Pennington seconded. The board amended the motion to source the funds from the capital improvement fund and to set the transfer amount at $230,000. The motion passed on a 6-0 vote.

The board and school representatives said the division plans to create a multiyear cycle for instrument and uniform replacement and to set aside funds annually so future needs do not recur without advance planning. The board did not take further action at the meeting; procurement steps and replacement timelines will follow under the school division’s purchasing process.