Council approves repurposing $1.03 million in school capital funds for urgent repairs

The Everett City Council voted to repurpose $1,028,317.30 in remaining balances from completed Everett Public Schools capital improvement projects for district repairs, after a committee recommendation and presentation by school facilities and finance staff.

Rob Moreshi, Director of Facilities for Everett Public Schools, and Chris Barrett, assistant superintendent of finance, told the council the funds would be put toward urgent needs such as bathroom, roof, elevator and floor repairs. Barrett described the request as drawing roughly $1 million from a larger pool of unexpended school capital balances, which he said totals about $6.4 million when including ongoing projects.

"If we approve the request, this will take about approximately $1,000,000 out of the total amount of about 6,400,000," Barrett said, adding that many of the remaining balances are already allocated to projects in progress, including a $2 million HVAC replacement at Whittier School.

Councilors pressed for clarity about remaining balances and plans for the leftover funds; Barrett and Moreshi said most of the larger pool is assigned to multi-year projects and that a report listing the projects is on the city's capital plan. Officials also said several scheduled projects are planned for school vacation and the summer construction season and offered to provide follow-up reporting on how the repurposed funds will be allocated.

On a roll-call vote the council approved the repurposing 8-1 (one councilor voted no). Council asked the schools for follow-up detail documenting how the repurposed money will be used and where the remaining CIP balances will be applied.

Next steps: The schools will proceed with the listed repairs and provide the council with follow-up reporting on project timing and use of the reallocated funds.