Valparaiso board accepts donations, approves grants and clears bus procurement bidding

At its March 11 meeting the Valparaiso Community Schools board approved routine financial items, accepted donations and grants, and authorized the district to begin procurement for replacement buses.

Mr. Jim Holyfield presented the monthly financial statements, reporting year‑to‑date figures by fund (education fund revenue and expenditures, operations fund activity, and a temporary $345,000 tax draw expected to be repaid in December). Following presentation, the board approved the finance report.

Dr. Jim McCall introduced a municipal advisory contract for services related to the district’s 2026 bond issue with LWG CPAs and Advisers, in the amount of $35,000; the board approved the contract.

Dr. Barber described two grant awards: a federal Title III allocation of $20,618 to supplement English‑learner services and a $5,000 grant from the Homebuilders Association of Northwest Indiana to support the construction trades program; both grants were approved. The board also accepted multiple district donations, including small school gifts, in‑kind items for extracurricular teams and food/supply donations for student programs.

Transportation staff requested permission to advertise bids to replace three Type C 72‑passenger buses and one Type C wheelchair‑lift bus. Bids will solicit both gasoline and propane options; the district’s approved budget for the purchase is $690,850. The board authorized advertising for the purchases.

All finance, contract, grant and donation actions were approved by voice vote with no oppositions recorded.