Budget Hearing 10/28/26

The October 28, 2026, ORCSD budget hearing reviewed the administrative team’s proposed FY28 budget; no contract awards, procurement approvals, or spending votes were recorded. The proposed budget includes about $3.5 million for capital projects and maintains current programs and services. Facilities requests included $30,000 for engineering on a possible Massway cafeteria expansion and engineering/site-work planning for future school projects; other projects discussed included high school HVAC work (about $600,000), Massway parking and building work (about $261,400), and a proposed $92,000 skid steer. The board also discussed whether future athletic-field work might be bonded rather than funded through the operating budget.

Other purchasing and contracting matters included a proposed $85,000 increase for third-party transportation, possible GPS and camera upgrades for buses, and a planned RFP to compare options for replacing the district’s desk-phone system while retaining physical phones for 911 use. Two vans were not included in the proposed budget; staff were asked to provide utilization and cost-effectiveness data. Curriculum-related contracted services, including NOVAC and Research for Better Teaching, were discussed at roughly $45,000–$50,000, with grant funding uncertain. The hearing also reviewed rising health costs and the food-service fund’s operating shortfall, with possible meal-price changes to be considered. These items remained under discussion, with follow-up information requested on several budget lines and projects.