SAVANNAH R-III board approves consent agenda, accepts June journal and OKs maintenance truck purchase

The SAVANNAH R-III board on Tuesday approved its consent agenda, accepted the June 2026 general journal and authorized the purchase of a maintenance pickup, while staff reported an improved year-end fund balance and noted an upcoming ASBR report.

Chair (Speaker 1) opened the meeting by asking for a motion to approve the agenda and the consent agenda; a committee member moved, it was seconded, and the motion carried after a vote by voting signs.

Staff member (Speaker 3), presenting the district's end-of-year financial report, said the district recorded about $31.5 million in revenue and expenses and that "we ended the year, $2,400,000 higher, in cash balance, which is, excellent," noting the district closed the year with roughly $14.2 million in combined cash and investments. The presenter also reported a year-to-date deficit around $365,004.67 and contrasted that with a prior-year deficit of $10,739,000, calling it a roughly 96.6% improvement in deficit spending. The staff member said the ASBR will likely be available in August or September.

"We took the opportunity being so much on the positive side to make some purchases that we've been holding off on," the staff member said, explaining part of the modest year-to-date deficit.

On formal business, the board moved to accept the June 2026 general journal; a motion was made and seconded and the board approved the journal (vote taken by voting signs; no roll-call tally was recorded in the minutes).

The board reviewed three bids for a 3/4-ton, 4x4 pickup and the staff recommendation to award the purchase to Andersen Auto Group for a 2027 Ford F-250 crew cab at $46,006.35. The chair asked for a motion to approve the purchase; the motion passed after a second. Committee member 2 indicated an abstention, stating, "And, Corey, I'm gonna abstain." The board recorded the motion as approved (vote by voting signs; no roll-call tally provided).

Staff member (Speaker 3) also announced a $500 non-matching grant awarded to Karen Taylor for lifelong learning opportunities in the district library and described the award as informational (FYI).

Committee members asked about the high school handbook and whether prom-related rules were included. Staff replied that prom rules were widely communicated, including emails sent to families by "Mr. Weiss," and that the district uses multiple channels to communicate event rules; whether every detail appears in the handbook was not specified.

Chair (Speaker 1) closed the meeting after noting informational bond-agenda dates posted by staff and asking members to check their calendars. The board adjourned following a motion and second.

What happens next: staff said the ASBR (annual summary report) will be available in August or September; no further votes were scheduled at the meeting.