Here are some of the highlights from the September 28^th Ephrata School Board meeting. Members of the public are always welcome to attend board meetings. A list of meeting dates and times, board agendas and other information can be found at: https://www.ephrataschools.org/schoolboard.

Prior to the regular meeting, the board hosted a 5:30 PM work session to welcome new district staff. 

Key Action Items & Approvals

• FFA Out-of-State Travel: Approved travel for 16 students and 2 staff members to attend events in Chicago, Fair Oaks, Purdue University, and the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. The $30,000 trip is fully funded via student contributions and local fundraising. Two students will be recognized for receiving their American FFA Degree.

• Facility Rental Fees: Approved updated rental fee structures to cover operational losses from for-profit entities, while authorizing the superintendent to waive fees for community-beneficial events. Learn more here: Learn more here: https://www.ephrataschools.org/facility-rental

• School Bus Surplus: Approved placing fully depreciated surplus buses up for bid to other school districts for 30 days (estimated minimum value of $1,200) before advancing to public auction.

• Ratification of Tentative EEA Agreement: Approved the tentative agreement with the Ephrata Education Association, which met budgetary targets without additional funding requests. 

Board Presentations & Reports

• Student Representatives: Introduced Hannah Malone (returning for her second year) and noted representative Kai Kaleohano was absent due to an exam conflict.

• Finance & Budget: Executive Director of Business & Finance Allison Razey provided an update on district finances, reporting steady enrollment, stronger-than-expected tax revenues, healthy capital project funds, and continued progress on capital levy goals.

Superintendent Updates

• High School Roof: Roof replacement work at Ephrata High School is progressing as planned and is almost complete.

• Strategic Planning:  The district will engage in strategic planning with the North Central Educational Service District (NCESD), launching November 2nd, involving school-level teams.

• 2022 Capital Levy Update: Funding from this voter-approved tax concludes in 2026, with technology upgrades, athletic field lighting, and a new storage facility now fully complete, and improvements to the maintenance and transportation building nearing completion.

• Potential 2027 Bond Planning: Ken outlined feedback from community listening sessions. Future planning will pivot from the failed 2026 bond to focus on prioritizing Grant Elementary at its current location, maintaining lower tax rates, shorter bond terms, and potentially address common space needs at Parkway.