Board approves Pre‑K additions and contracts; board members raise concerns about $750,000 alternate-transportation ceiling

The Carroll County Board of Education unanimously approved six awards of bid on April 15 covering capital and operational needs, including three prekindergarten additions, school roof replacements, security laminate installation, and walk‑in coolers/freezers for food service.

Mr. O'Neal described the three pre‑K additions (William Winchester, Spring Garden, and Westminster elementary schools) as part of the district’s phased pre‑K expansion. He told trustees that additive alternates included in the award push the current project budget over the programmed CIP by about $1,027,027; staff said they plan a budget transfer of existing funds from other kindergarten/pre‑K projects and will coordinate with county commissioners before finalizing the capital transfer.

The board also approved an award for alternative student transportation — a districtwide contract to provide nonstandard transportation for isolated cases where a Type II school bus is infeasible. Staff described the award as a not‑to‑exceed contracting ceiling of $750,000; they said historical expenditures have averaged roughly $500,000 annually and that the figure is intended to give administrative flexibility for as‑needed services (medical accommodations, nonpublic school placements, long-distance McKinney‑Vento transports).

Several trustees questioned the cost relative to current usage. A board member asked how many students rely on the service; staff said nine students currently use alternative transportation but emphasized year-to-year variability and federal obligations to transport McKinney‑Vento students if families elect continuity of placement. Board members asked staff to keep exploring lower‑cost arrangements and noted the operational complexity of running an in‑house fleet versus contracted services.

All award motions passed without recorded opposition. Staff said the district would return with any necessary CIP transfer requests and continue to monitor alternate-transport costs.