Operations, Finance & Facilities Committee | October 27, 2026

The CitySchoolsLIVE Operations, Finance & Facilities Committee met October 27, 2026. Staff presented FY28 budget scenarios amid uncertainty over state Blueprint funding and enrollment. Projections ranged from a possible $23 million revenue decline to $76–89 million in new revenue under full phase-in; a moderate scenario showed roughly $26–38 million in new revenue, which may not keep pace with rising costs. Staff said expenditure modeling is beginning and schools will receive budget guidance and allocations by February 10. The committee also discussed proposed transportation-policy revisions, including ending routine sibling courtesy transportation because of limited capacity, while preserving required services and allowing case-by-case review. Staff reported a $29.1 million bus-and-van budget and rising transportation demand. Updates covered teacher recruitment, minority- and women-owned business participation, and sustainability work, including energy-efficiency projects and grant funding.

Procurement staff previewed contracts requested for approval at a future board meeting; no committee vote or award was recorded. Items included a three-vendor heating-oil and off-road-diesel contract with Apex Petroleum Corp, James River Solutions, and J.J. Adams Fuel Oil, estimated at $3 million annually for November 5, 2026–November 4, 2029, with one two-year renewal option; a $726,840 competitively solicited contract with Nichols Contracting (the scope is unclear in the transcript); and a piggyback contract with Enterprise Fleet Management for fleet leasing and vehicle management, including yellow buses, estimated at $5.5 million annually through May 4, 2030, with three one-year renewal options. Other requests included a $2 million increase to the school office furniture and equipment agreement, a transportation maintenance-services contract estimated at $90,000 annually for two years, a $250,000 increase for Ice Miller’s civil litigation services, and a $550,000 increase and extension through June 30, 2027, for Kreman and Graham’s Child Victims Act legal work. The committee also heard that the district is continuing vendor outreach and certification support, reported 45% overall MBE participation across $218 million in contracts, and is updating procedures and evaluating a new disparity study.