Board approves two‑year central office lease; finance director outlines early-year budget picture
September 27, 2025 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89, School Districts, Vermont
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Laura McAllister, the district’s director of finance and operations, presented the board’s first financial report for the school year and briefed members on a proposed renewal of the central office lease.
McAllister said early‑year projections show a substantial carryover that she expected to decline as the year’s contracts, purchase orders and grant revenues were finalized. She highlighted a nearly $6 million capital outlay tied to HVAC work that will be supported in part by a lease arrangement.
On the lease, McAllister and facility task‑force representatives described a two‑year renewal the task force recommended. The draft term includes an annual rent figure cited in the meeting—$45,600 per year—and a clause allowing the landlord a 3% annual increase tied to property tax/expense adjustments. The draft also states the landlord will assume responsibility for snow plowing and sanding of the driveway/parking areas beginning July 1, 2027 (current plowing contract runs through FY27).
Board members voted to approve the two‑year central office lease renewal. According to the meeting transcript the motion’s recorded result was “Motion will carry 7 to 5.” The lease discussion included the plowing change and the board’s desire to retain flexibility should future facility needs or district reorganization change space requirements.
McAllister also explained common early‑year accounting patterns: some support staff are initially charged to instructional lines and then reallocated to special education codes as assignments are confirmed; facility expenses and purchase orders were not yet fully expended; and state extraordinary special‑education reimbursements and grant revenues were still being finalized. She said special education expenditures currently showed as well under budgeted levels but cautioned that pattern would shift as coding and placements were finalized.
Separately, the board approved a procedural finding to allow discussion about a teacher leave request in executive session and later entered executive session for personnel matters.
Ending: The board asked staff to return with finalized lease paperwork for legal review and with updated financial projections as contracts and position codes are settled.
McAllister said early‑year projections show a substantial carryover that she expected to decline as the year’s contracts, purchase orders and grant revenues were finalized. She highlighted a nearly $6 million capital outlay tied to HVAC work that will be supported in part by a lease arrangement.
On the lease, McAllister and facility task‑force representatives described a two‑year renewal the task force recommended. The draft term includes an annual rent figure cited in the meeting—$45,600 per year—and a clause allowing the landlord a 3% annual increase tied to property tax/expense adjustments. The draft also states the landlord will assume responsibility for snow plowing and sanding of the driveway/parking areas beginning July 1, 2027 (current plowing contract runs through FY27).
Board members voted to approve the two‑year central office lease renewal. According to the meeting transcript the motion’s recorded result was “Motion will carry 7 to 5.” The lease discussion included the plowing change and the board’s desire to retain flexibility should future facility needs or district reorganization change space requirements.
McAllister also explained common early‑year accounting patterns: some support staff are initially charged to instructional lines and then reallocated to special education codes as assignments are confirmed; facility expenses and purchase orders were not yet fully expended; and state extraordinary special‑education reimbursements and grant revenues were still being finalized. She said special education expenditures currently showed as well under budgeted levels but cautioned that pattern would shift as coding and placements were finalized.
Separately, the board approved a procedural finding to allow discussion about a teacher leave request in executive session and later entered executive session for personnel matters.
Ending: The board asked staff to return with finalized lease paperwork for legal review and with updated financial projections as contracts and position codes are settled.
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